Our Mission
The Gordon Foundation mission is to improve the mental and emotional well-being of children and youth. We are committed to playing a leadership role in the promotion and advancement of young people - using awareness and promotion to encourage and cause change that enhances the success and ability to thrive for children and youth.
Our focus on the mental and emotional well-being of children and youth is intended to cover the wide range of mental, emotional, cognitive and behavioural domains. The Foundation believes that children and youth with good mental health, positive self-esteem and general well-being are more likely to look after their health as adults – adults who will maintain and improve our society.
The Foundation commemorates the work of Dr. Gerald Gordon who was Executive Director of the Atlantic Child Guidance Centre (ACGC) for more than 20 years, and the associated Atlantic Child Guidance Centre Foundation. From the late 1940s until the integration into the IWK Grace Heath Centre in 1995, ACGC and its precursor organizations sought to improve the mental and emotional well-being of the children and youth of Nova Scotia.
The Gordon Foundation Nova Scotia carries on this legacy as a non-profit charitable organization that provides funding for programs that enhance and add to the quality of life and success of our young people.
2022-2023 Board of Directors
Stacey Dort, President
Stacey Dort graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Sociology. She has worked for over 25 years within the non-profit sector supporting individuals released from incarceration back to the community. During her time in university, she volunteered as a mediator with the Youth Alternative Society which diverted youth from the court system to mediation circles. Stacey recognizes the importance of positive opportunities as it relates to youth development and the result of not being afforded these opportunities. She is very excited to have the occasion to have more of a community impact on the adults of tomorrow
Debbie Williams, Vice President
Debbie William retired from Halifax Regional School Board where she held several positions from classroom to learning centre at the elementary level. She holds a bachelor's degree in Special Education and a Master's degree in Literacy. She is an active volunteer and loves a challenge. In her retirement, she actively works on her bucket list.
Samantha Rudolph, Treasurer
Lauren Scott, Secretary
Valerie Blair, Member
Jennie Nicholson, Member