{{Short description|Canadian non-profit organization}} {{advert|date=November 2016}} {{Infobox organization | logo = <!--200px--> | type = Non-Government Organization | founded = 1957 | founder = Robert Pierce | location = Mississauga, Ontario | key_people = Michael Messenger (CEO) | region_served = 90+ countries | focus = Helping children, families and communities overcome poverty and injustice. | method = Transformational Development through emergency relief, community development and policy and advocacy | revenue = {{CA$|442 million}} (2015) | num_employees = '''483''' (2016) | website = '''[http://www.worldvision.ca www.worldvision.ca]''' }}
'''World Vision Canada''' is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization.<ref>{{cite web|title=About World Vision|url=http://www.worldvision.ca/aboutus/Pages/default.aspx|website=World Vision Canada|accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref> Based in Mississauga, Ontario, World Vision Canada is the largest private relief and development agency in Canada.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pitts|first1=Gordan|title=How Dave Toycen boosted donations at World Vision Canada by 700%|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/the-strength-to-give/article24616275/|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=The Globe and Mail|date=May 28, 2015}}</ref> It is a part of the World Vision Partnership led by World Vision International.
== History == World Vision was started in 1950 by American missionary Robert Pierce.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bob Pierce|url=http://wheaton.edu/isae/hall-of-biography/bob-pierce|website=Wheaton College|publisher=Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals|accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref>
While visiting China in 1947, Pierce was invited to speak at a girls' school led by Tena Holkeboer, a missionary with the Reformed Church in America.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kwantes|first1=Anne|title=She Has Done a Beautiful Thing for Me: Portraits of Christian Women in Asia|date=2005|publisher=OMF Literature Inc.|location=Philippines|isbn=971-511-894-1|pages=179}}</ref> Pierce encouraged the students to go home and inform their families that they were now Christian. He returned to say goodbye the next day and was met by Holkeboer, who was holding a child. The child had been beaten and abandoned by her family for converting to Christianity. Holkeboer asked Pierce what he was going to do about the child. Pierce gave Holkeboer his last five dollars and promised to send more when he returned home.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pierce Dunker|first1=Marilee|title=Man of Vision: The Candid, Compelling Story of Bob and Lorraine Pierce, founders of World Vision and Samaritan's Purse|date=2005|publisher=Authentic Media|isbn=1932805397|chapter=6 China Challenge}}</ref> This generated the idea of child sponsorship and World Vision.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dunker|first1=Marilee|title='Tiger' to 'Typhoon': Women who influenced Bob Pierce|url=http://archive.worldvisionmagazine.org/story/tiger-typhoon-women-who-influenced-bob-pierce|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=World Vision Magazine|date=February 28, 2013}}</ref>
Canada has been part of the World Vision family since the early days. In 1950, Pierce held the first meetings in Canada to discuss what he had seen and learned in Asia. In 1957, Canada's first World Vision office opened in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Our History|url=http://www.worldvision.ca/aboutus/Pages/history.aspx|website=World Vision Canada|accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref>
==Focus and initiatives== World Vision Canada works in nearly 100 countries, with a focus on the well-being of children. They work to change the lives of children around the world through child sponsorship. Sponsorship links donors to children in one of 49 countries. Sponsors make a commitment to contribute $39 monthly to programs that benefit the child, their family and their community.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Verstraten|first1=Katelyn|title=Give Smart: World Vision|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2014/12/14/give_smart_world_vision.html|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=The Toronto Star|date=December 14, 2014}}</ref>
World Vision Canada's programs focus on education, food, clean water, healthcare, economic and community development, child protection and emergency response.<ref>{{cite web|title=Changing the Lives of Children Around the World|url=http://www.worldvision.ca/ourwork/what-world-vision-canada-does/Pages/default.aspx|website=World Vision Canada|accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref>
==Advocacy and campaigns==
===30 Hour Famine=== The 30 Hour Famine started in 1971 at Crescent Heights Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta. After the event in Calgary, the 30 Hour Famine spread among youth in the United States, Australia and other parts of the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=World Vision's 30 Hour Famine began in basement of Calgary church|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/world-vision-s-30-hour-famine-began-in-basement-of-calgary-church-1.3047502|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=CBC News|date=April 24, 2015}}</ref> By 2015, tens of thousands of young people in 21 countries were involved in the movement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Inspired to ignite World Vision's 30 Hour Famine movement|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/inspired-to-ignite-world-visions-30-hour-famine-movement/|access-date=29 June 2016|agency=CTV News Calgary|date=April 1, 2015}}</ref> For 30 hours, groups and individuals volunteer to give something up, such as food, video games or cell phones to raise money or awareness for world hunger.<ref>{{cite news|title=Youth challenged to give up more than food for 30-Hour Famine|url=http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2013/05/10/youth-challenged-to-give-up-more-than-food-for-30-hour-famine|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Daily Miner and News|date=May 10, 2013}}</ref>
===No Child for Sale=== The No Child for Sale campaign aims to bring awareness to child labour. As of 2016, 168 million children are part of the global work force.<ref>{{cite web|title=Child Labour|url=http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/child-labour/lang--en/index.htm|website=International Labour Organization|accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref>
Every year, billions of dollars' worth of goods are imported to Canada from countries using child labour. The campaign seeks to encourage Canadians to ask more questions about where their food and clothing comes from and to demand companies make information about their supply chains transparent.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Russell|first1=Andrew|title=Canadians unaware how many products made using child labour: World Vision|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1886301/canadians-unaware-how-many-products-made-use-child-labour-world-vision/|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Global News|issue=March 16, 2015}}</ref> As of 2016, World Vision Canada is seeking legislation requiring companies doing business in Canada to report annually on measures they take to ensure their overseas factories are not using child labour in the manufacturing of products intended for the Canadian marketplace.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Press|first1=Jordan|title=Canadians could be buying goods made by child labourers, says World Vision|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/06/09/canadians-could-be-buying-goods-made-by-child-labourers-says-world-vision.html|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=The Toronto Star|date=June 9, 2016}}</ref>
===World Vision Water=== World Vision Canada's water campaign seeks to provide clean water for drinking, sanitation and hygiene. According to World Vision Canada, more than 663 million people around the world live without access to clean water.<ref>{{cite web|title=Clean Water in Action|url=http://www.worldvision.ca/getinvolved/clean-water/Pages/clean-water.aspx?water-hpx|website=World Vision Canada|accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref>
Between 2011 and 2016, World Vision Canada provided over 5.5 million people with safe drinking water.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wolfe|first1=Debbie|title=Witness The Power Of Clean Water Around The World|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/debbie-wolfe/world-water-day_b_9509046.html|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Huffington Post Canada|date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> Since 1995, the Courage Polar Bear Dip in Oakville, Ontario has been raising money for World Vision Canada's water projects around the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.polarbeardip.ca/history.php|website=Polar Bear Dip|accessdate=29 June 2016|archive-date=21 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321224731/http://www.polarbeardip.ca/history.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2016, the event has raised over $1.4 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=2016 Oakville Courage Polar Bear Dip brings fundraising total to more than $1.4 million|url=http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/6215695-2016-oakville-courage-polar-bear-dip-brings-fundraising-total-to-more-than-1-4-million/|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Inside Halton|date=January 1, 2016}}</ref> On May 27, 2016 staff from World Vision Canada toured downtown Toronto, Ontario with an orange toilet to draw attention to the billions of people around the world who lack access to adequate sanitation and hygiene.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nickle|first1=David|title=World Vision Canada brings orange toilet to Toronto City Hall to highlight need for improved sanitation globally|url=http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6694214-world-vision-canada-brings-orange-toilet-to-toronto-city-hall-to-highlight-need-for-improved-sanitat/|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Inside Toronto|date=May 27, 2016}}</ref>
==Funding== According to 2015 financial statements, the majority of World Vision Canada's funding comes from child sponsorship and other donations. World Vision Canada also receives grants from the Government of Canada. Their total revenue in 2015 was CA$443 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Financial Statements of World Vision Canada|url=http://sites.worldvision.ca/annualreport/downloads/financialstatement-2015.pdf|website=World Vision Canada|accessdate=29 June 2016|pages=1–2|format=PDF|date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=3 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803143557/http://sites.worldvision.ca/annualreport/downloads/financialstatement-2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2015, 80.5% of its funding was spent on programs, 13.8% on fundraising and 5.7% on administration.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annual Impact Report|url=http://sites.worldvision.ca/annualreport/downloads/WVC_AnnualReport_2015_En.pdf|website=World Vision Canada|accessdate=29 June 2016|page=4|format=PDF|date=2015|archive-date=6 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606203714/http://sites.worldvision.ca/annualreport/downloads/WVC_AnnualReport_2015_En.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2016, World Vision Canada employed 455 full-time and 28 part-time employees.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Richard Yerema|author2=Kristina Leung|title=World Vision Canada|url=http://content.eluta.ca/top-employer-world-vision-canada|website=Eluta|accessdate=29 June 2016|date=November 8, 2015}}</ref>
==Celebrity ambassadors== The celebrity ambassador program partners with various celebrities to combat poverty and improve the lives of children around the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celebrity Ambassador Program|url=http://www.worldvision.ca/aboutus/celebrity_ambassador_program/Pages/default.aspx|website=World Vision Canada|accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref>
In 2016 Meghan Markle become a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada. Markle traveled to Rwanda in February 2016 for World Vision Canada's clean water campaign.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Watkins|first1=Janelle|title=Meghan Markle 'Suits' Up for Success|url=http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/meghan-markle-suits-interview#axzz4BCuT5D3L|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Ebony|date=February 29, 2016}}</ref>
==Notable affiliated person==<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> * Jann Arden<ref>{{cite web|title=Biography|url=http://www.jannarden.com/biography/|website=Jann Arden|accessdate=29 June 2016|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030632/http://www.jannarden.com/biography/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Rick Campanelli<ref>{{cite news|title=Rick Campanelli: Inside his life-changing trip to Cambodia|url=http://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/0201404256805/rick-campanelli-inside-his-life-changing-trip-to-cambodia/|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Hello Magazine|date=April 25, 2014|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917121551/http://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/0201404256805/rick-campanelli-inside-his-life-changing-trip-to-cambodia/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Tom Cochrane<ref>{{cite news|last1=Levitz|first1=Stephanie|title=Refugee children, programs at risk as fundraising dollars run low: musician Tom Cochrane|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/world-refugee-day-cochrane-trudeau-1.3643179|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=CBC News|date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> * Mike Fisher<ref>{{cite web|title=Fisher Sees Poverty First Hand|url=http://mikefisher.ca/news/44/|website=Mike Fisher|accessdate=29 June 2016|date=October 17, 2009}}</ref> * Lights<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bliss|first1=Karen|title=Singer Lights Sheds Light On Two Charities|url=http://www.samaritanmag.com/844/singer-lights-sheds-light-two-charities|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Samaritan Mag|date=September 25, 2011|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701082124/http://www.samaritanmag.com/844/singer-lights-sheds-light-two-charities|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Meghan Markle<ref>{{cite web|title=Event hosted by Suits star Meghan Markle brings clean water to children|url=https://www.worldvision.ca/about-us/media-centre/meghan-markle-brings-clean-water-to-children|website=World Vision|accessdate=November 14, 2017|date=24 March 2016}}</ref> * Colin Mochrie<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ouzounian|first1=Richard|title=Colin Mochrie on his first book, Not Quite the Classics|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2013/10/25/colin_mochrie_on_his_first_book_not_quite_the_classics.html|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Toronto Star|date=October 25, 2013}}</ref> *The Scott Brothers<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/joan-kelley-weisshaar-walker/property-brothers-charity_b_6160910.html|title=How the Property Brothers Use Their Fame to Help the World's Poorest|date=2014-11-16|website=HuffPost Canada|language=en|access-date=2019-04-16}}</ref> * Alex Trebek<ref>{{cite news|last1=Reevely|first1=David|title=Alex Trebek gets a key to Ottawa, and to Jim Watson's heart|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/reevely-alex-trebek-gets-a-key-to-ottawa-and-to-jim-watsons-heart|accessdate=29 June 2016|agency=Ottawa Citizen|date=April 29, 2016}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.worldvision.ca/}}
{{World Vision International}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Christian charities Category:Non-profit organizations based in Ontario Category:Organizations based in Mississauga Category:Organizations established in 1957 Category:Development charities based in Canada Category:1957 establishments in Ontario