Back

ABOUT THE FOUNDATIONS

100 % of all funds raised will be divided between iHuman Youth Society (50%) and The Michael Cuccione Foundation (50%). While each foundation is dedicated to a specific approach, they share an important goal: to improve the quality of life for those personally dealing with victimization, loss, and the death of loved ones.

iHuman Youth Society (Reg. 87322-3168-RR0001)

The iHuman Youth Society helps high-risk youth who are considered by many to be 'beyond help'. Youth come to iHuman from the streets, the legal system, psychologists, social workers, and child welfare. Our core group of youth numbers approximately 100 and we have over 5,000 contract hours with the youth each year. 32 of our youth entered intensive addiction rehabilitation programs in 2004. That represents about 12% of all the youth to enter such programs in the whole province of Alberta.

The organization began as a Millennium Project with two artists, Wallis Kendal and Sandra Bromley, creating a peace initiative "Gun Sculpture" the size and shape of a prison cell with disengaged firearms weighing over 10,000 pounds. Wallis, who has a social work background, discovered that he could reach Edmonton's troubled youth trough art. Since then, iHuman has evolved to include various other art forms as part of a way to reach the 'unreachable'. Along with an eight-member board of directors, Wallis provides iHuman as a refuge for over 100 of Edmonton's most high and at-risk youth ranging from 13-24 years of age. The iHuman board of directors has the final decision making in regards to the allocation of funds.

To raise community awareness about youth issues, iHuman is involved in various conferences across Alberta and was featured in two CBC documentaries in 2004. In conjunction with the RCMP Crime Prevention Group and the DARE program, youth at iHuman produced a documentary film about methamphetamines (Crystal Meth) that will be used to educate students in schools across Canada. In 2004, 'Inside our Side' at Next Fest, Syncrude's Next Generation Festival 'The Bridge' at the TransAlta Arts Barns, and their 'Down to the Grit' sculpture are some examples of province-wide recognition.

iHuman Youth Society challenges the way troubled youth are viewed and how youth view themselves as well as society. Food, clothing, glasses, medical care, personal counselling, psychiatric evaluation, and drug rehabilitation are the primary focus of iHuman along with an important focus on artistic self-expression. However, an integral goal is that the capacity for trust is restored to a population of human beings for whom this capacity has been severely compromised.

The Michael Cuccione Foundation(Reg. 89396-2068-RR0001)

As a victim of cancer, Michael was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at only 9 years old. Michael received six months of chemotherapy and responded very well to the treatment; he was pronounced cancer free. However approximately 1 year later he relapsed, the cancer had returned. Michael, who was cancer free for six years and was given 'a clean bill of health' however, passed away due to respiratory complications on January 13th 2001. Currently, most cancer funding is directed towards identifying the underlying causes of adult types of cancer; little emphasis is placed on paediatric cancer research. Michael dedicated his life and foundation to fund "young researchers because [he believed] if we don't they will not be here in the future."

The Michael Cuccione Foundation was incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia, on March 12, 1997 and achieved charitable status on June 18, 1997. The foundations purpose is to raise funds, receive bequests, gifts and voluntary donations of every kind and accumulate a fund, and to expand and administer this fund or the proceeds thereof, or the income from the fund, exclusively for cancer research and for the use of children's hospitals located in Canada. Raising awareness, providing emotional support, inspiring others, and conducting motivational speaking engagements at schools, businesses, and different levels of government are also goals of the foundation. The Michael Cuccione Foundation Board of Directors will monitor the use of the funds.

Michael James Cuccione was born on January 5th, 1985 in Burnaby, British Columbia and was raised in Coquitlam. Michael co-authored the book 'There Are Survivors' as well as wrote and produced a record entitled 'Make A Difference'. From his CD sales, he raised a total of $130,000 and with this, Michael formed the official The Michael Cuccione Foundation.

Mark Victor Hansen, co-author NEW YORK Time's # 1 Best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul Series stated: "Michael's story WOWs my soul. I've watched him captivate audiences of thousands with as much charisma and style as Frank Sinatra. His story will touch your soul and improve your experience . . . Michael's story is unforgettable". Michael was blessed with many talents, he was an actor, a dancer, a singer, a songwriter, a public speaker, and most important of all was a dedicated crusader for the fight against cancer.