Jayne Anne Hounslow was a young girl whose life was tragically cut short after a hit-and-run accident in May of 2023. Hounslow was just eight years old.
She was known for her unique ability to make everyone feel special. Despite her young age, Jayne believed that even small acts of kindness could have a profound impact on someone's life.
In honour of her memory, her family established the Love, Jayne Foundation. The foundation's mission is to provide financial support to underserved children across the Halton region, allowing them to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, and summer camps.
By doing so, the foundation promotes inclusivity, improves mental health, increases academic success and develops leadership skills among local youth. This initiative empowers children to pursue their passions and reach their potential, regardless of their financial circumstances.
The foundation stands as a tribute to Hounslow’s enduring spirit and continues to inspire and uplift the Halton region. Her legacy of kindness and generosity certainly makes her a deserving recipient of a Community Builders Award.
“This is a big honour considering how new our foundation is,” said Sarah Hounslow, Jayne’s mother.
“We had Jayne for such a short period of time,” Hounslow shared. “To know that her eight years here is making this much of a difference means a lot to our family.”
“Jayne was wise beyond her years and always thought of others. She was kind, generous, and lived to make people feel included and appreciated,” she added.
Hounslow’s family started the foundation with the dream of wanting to help children in a more meaningful way.
“We wanted to do more than just a single week of camp,” she said. “We wanted to work with the school system to have teachers identify children that could benefit from an extracurricular activity or something that they’re passionate about that they couldn’t otherwise participate in. It’s more of an ongoing assistance.”
The Love, Jayne Foundation is also working with the Halton District School Board to start a Kindness Month, which would encourage classes in public schools to identify charities of their choice and figure out ways to give back.
“This would ideally teach kids the value and importance of working together for the greater good,” Hounslow said.
Through the Love, Jayne Foundation, Jayne's legacy continues to touch the lives of many, fostering kindness and support within the community. The foundation's dedication to empowering youth aligns seamlessly with the values celebrated by the Community Builders Awards.
“I would like to extend a sincere thank you to those who nominated Jayne for this recognition. We feel incredibly privileged to have had Jayne in our lives, and we are deeply grateful for this acknowledgement of who she was,” Hounslow said.
This year, the foundation will be hosting a fundraising concert at Spencer Smith Park on August 8. More information will be available at LoveJayne.ca.
The Legacy award is a posthumous honour, celebrating the memory of an individual whose life and contributions have left a lasting and meaningful impact on their community, profession or cause.
