KIDS INITIATIVE INC

Cat Ross M.S.M.

President & Founder

Cat Ross signs off each of her electronic messages with this quote: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do something I can do.” -Helen Keller Cat has consistently proven that she will continue to take on personal challenges and accomplish philanthropic deeds — because she can. She has been dubbed the “philanthropic guru” by her friends, family, and colleagues; a character trait entrenched at a very young age. Cat was raised in a philanthropic family and learned early in life that giving of oneself benefits many. In grade school, Cat volunteered in the life-skills program to help educational assistants working with students living with exceptionalities. This experience was a catalyst for future good deeds. An empathy-filled, young Cat Ross took on volunteer efforts with organizations and groups such as; the Christmas Cheerboard, Winnipeg Harvest, the Manitoba School Improvement Program, United Way, Run for a Cure, Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Grey Cup Parade, the Alliance for Breast Cancer Information & Support, CancerCare Manitoba, Song for Africa, Eat So They Can Campaign, the Little Travellers, Siloam Mission, and finally Nine Circles Community Health Centre, an organization that would spark an opportunity that would take her to the remote outskirts of Nairobi, in a place called Kibera — a community riddled with orphaned children left behind by AIDS-afflicted parents. Cat’s selflessness is far-reaching, and her passion for making a difference extends to every corner of her life. Not only has she given her volunteered time and efforts to local organizations and groups, through working at various humanitarian jobs in Winnipeg, including; The Weekend to end Breast Cancer, the Community Respite Service, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, UNICEF Canada, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Big Brother Big Sisters of Winnipeg, and The Children's Wish Foundation, the Manitoba Lung Association, and the Winnipeg Humane Society, Cat has demonstrated her relentless willingness to give back to the community. The agencies that have benefited from Cat’s kindness are widespread; her generosity is limitless. In 2005, Cat decided she wanted to turn her humanitarian efforts global. She organized her first Kenya Mission Benefit Concert, a concert featuring local bands who were so easily captivated by her energy that they continue to support Cat in her mission today. Cat captures the attention of many people, from radio, entertainment, and schools to continuous charities and global volunteer agencies. She enthusiastically shares her passion, thus infecting others with her “can-do” attitude. Her inaugural fundraising project provided her with the resources to launch her first distribution trip to Kenya. Once in Kenya, Cat worked in four HIV/AIDS clinics in the Kibera and surrounding slums, monitoring nutrition and medication intake as well as administering massages and stretching exercises. Upon her return to Canada, Cat caught the attention of several schools and organizations and was regularly requested to provide speaking engagements. She has spoken with local media and organizations, and at elementary and secondary schools, universities, and conferences. She has been featured through many media outlets, in which she described her work in Kenya as “a life-altering experience, that ignites my passion to support those in need whenever and however I can.” To round off her impressive list of non-stop commitments, Cat founded KIDS Initiative Inc., in April 2010. She assembled a group of professionals who, like Cat, are passionate about bettering the future of children globally while inspiring children locally by participating in service-learning projects and educational activities. In January 2013, their organization was officially registered as a charity through the Canada Revenue Agency. Cat now travels to Kenya every year to oversee the distribution of funds and materials supporting income generating projects into the core programs that KIDS Initiative supports until sustainable status is reached. In 2019, the organization launched their newly branded organization with a shift in their overall mission and vision for the organization and most importantly, broadening their scope to developing communities WORLDWIDE. A year later, in 2020, Cat was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) for founding KIDS Initiative to support humanitarian projects and motivate Canadians to take action against global poverty. This honour, one of the highest in the country, had been conferred upon Cat by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada. It is a testament to Cat’s outstanding achievement and service to the nation. Cat’s commitment to providing aid to those in need will likely continue for a very long time. Some people give through a one-time bequest. Others choose to give during their lifetime in order to see the impact of their contribution and to share in the joy and rewards of giving. For as long as Cat lives, she will continue to build relationships with beneficiaries and partner agencies, and she will continue to inspire her family, friends, staff, and community to improve the lives of those in need. Why? Because she can.