A mother holding her child in Puducherry, India

Our work

About SOS Children’s Villages Canada

Since 1949, SOS Children’s Villages has been guided by a basic principle: a loving home for every child.

Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages is an international children’s charity that provides safe and nurturing family homes to more than 65,000 abandoned and neglected children in over 130 countries and territories. With over 550 SOS Children’s Villages worldwide, we provide abandoned and neglected children with a family and a loving home with an SOS mother who cares for and supports them in a safe environment where their needs for food, healthcare, shelter, education, and love are met.

To prevent child abandonment, SOS Children’s Villages strengthens vulnerable families through skills training, economic empowerment, and community development, helping them achieve self-sufficiency. Today, we are the world’s largest children’s charity dedicated to supporting abandoned and neglected children.

What makes us unique

When a child loses everything, SOS Children’s Villages steps in.

65,000+

abandoned and neglected children in family homes

550+

SOS Children’s Villages worldwide

130+

countries and territories

1969

SOS Children’s Villages Canada established

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Our vision is for every child to belong to a family, and grow up with love, respect and security.

Who are SOS Mothers?

In each of our Children’s Villages, groups of orphaned or abandoned children are cared for in family homes by an SOS mother.

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Child safeguarding

Strong child protection standards in every program, with an international reporting channel.

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Our history

From post-war Europe in 1949 to a federation of member associations in over 130 countries.

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Goals

Three goals, one principle

  • To provide or strengthen families for children in need.
  • To provide children and families with the tools and resources to live happy, healthy lives.
  • To work with communities to ensure that they can support the needs of children and families.

SOS Children’s Villages Canada is a registered charity in Canada (Charity Registration Number 13824 7259 RR0001).

Two boys with their arms around each other

Our Board of Directors

Governance

Full biographies are on the Board of Directors page, alongside the Honorary Board and Advisory Council.

Christophe Hennebelle

Chair · Vice President of Corporate Communications, Air Canada

Mary Ballantyne

Past Chair · led the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies for nine years

Impacts

Annual reports and impact publications

PDF

75 Years of Impact

Wide-ranging data and analysis on how SOS Children’s Villages has supported program participants since 1949.

Report

All publications

Media centre

Journalists and partners

Press materials, the federation structure and our international leaders are in the media centre. General inquiries: info@soschildrensvillages.ca · 1-800-767-5111.