As KidsAbility Centre for Child Development enters a new chapter following a particularly challenging period marked by significant staffing reductions, growing public scrutiny, and questions surrounding the future of services for children and youth with disabilities across Waterloo Region, Guelph, and Wellington County, Paige Phillips is stepping into one of the most important leadership roles at KidsAbility Foundation.
Phillips was recently appointed executive director of KidsAbility Foundation, the philanthropic organization that supports KidsAbility Centre for Child Development.
She began her career at KidsAbility Foundation as a senior development officer and worked in multiple roles throughout the organization over the years.
In an exclusive interview with CharityAxess, Phillips reflected on her journey from packing envelopes early in her career to now leading the foundation as executive director.
Having grown within the organization, Phillips brings years of institutional knowledge, community relationships, and firsthand understanding of the families supported through KidsAbility Centre for Child Development.
“KidsAbility has a long history in this region. It is well known and well respected,” Phillips said. “As the executive director of KidsAbility Foundation, I believe it is my job to ensure that we maintain that reputation but also strengthen the relationships we have in this community.”
Phillips said she plans to do this in part by remaining visible and engaged in the community.
Originally founded in 1957 as the K-W Rotary Children’s Centre, KidsAbility Centre for Child Development evolved into one of Ontario’s most recognized child development centres, supporting more than 17,000 children and youth with disabilities and developmental delays.
The Centre has long been viewed as an important pillar in the charitable sector and the Kitchener–Waterloo community. That reputation is part of why the recent layoffs have generated so much public concern.
In March 2026, KidsAbility Centre for Child Development announced it would lay off 21 workers, following another 37 layoffs in October 2025. More than 50 employees were let go within months. The organization also closed its Fergus location.
According to publicly available records, KidsAbility Centre for Child Development receives approximately $25 million annually from the provincial government. Given the scale of public funding involved, the layoffs quickly became a topic of discussion among families, workers, elected officials, and community members.
According to CBC News, KidsAbility Centre for Child Development stated that significant effort went into making the difficult decision and maintained that service delivery would not be affected. However, many families and frontline workers remain concerned about how staffing reductions could impact wait times, workloads, continuity of care, and overall service quality moving forward.
Two local members of provincial Parliament publicly raised concerns following complaints from families regarding reduced service levels after the layoffs. Catherine Fife called for an audit of the organization, while Aislinn Clancy also voiced concerns regarding the situation.
Still, the broader issue may extend beyond a traditional financial audit.
Most registered charities already undergo annual financial reviews and reporting obligations. In the most recent audit publicly available online, conducted by BDO Canada LLP, KidsAbility received a clean audit opinion.
A financial audit can confirm whether spending was properly documented and compliant with accounting standards. What it may not fully answer is whether operational decisions, staffing models, budgeting assumptions, and long-term sustainability planning were aligned with growing community needs.
That is why an independent operational review or strategic analysis may provide more value than financial oversight alone. Questions surrounding service demand forecasting, administrative costs, workforce sustainability, procurement practices, and organizational planning may all deserve closer examination.
The situation has also reignited conversations about nonprofit governance and accountability among publicly funded organizations delivering essential services. While KidsAbility Foundation is separate from KidsAbility Centre for Child Development, periods of public scrutiny surrounding the Centre can also affect donor confidence and philanthropic support connected to the broader KidsAbility name.
Simultaneously, many in the community continue to recognize the long-standing impact KidsAbility Centre for Child Development has had on families across the region. For parents navigating developmental challenges, organizations like KidsAbility often become deeply important parts of a child’s growth, confidence, and long-term well-being.
Phillips acknowledged that her new role requires balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders across the foundation and the wider community.
“I think now as executive director, the difference between my previous roles where I was a fundraiser and I had to consider the donor community and our partners as well, now I have to think about all of our stakeholders,” she said.
She added that every major decision must “balance organizational health, sustainability, finance, and culture” while also considering donors, volunteers, staff, board members, and KidsAbility Centre for Child Development.
As Phillips steps into her new role, she now faces the responsibility of helping support KidsAbility Centre for Child Development through a period of rebuilding and renewed public attention. Given her long history with KidsAbility Foundation, many would argue she is uniquely positioned to help lead the foundation into its next phase of philanthropic growth and community engagement.
For an organization whose motto is “a future of possibilities,” that message is also reflected in Phillips’ upward career trajectory at KidsAbility Foundation, from senior development officer to executive director.
Many community members hope that under this new leadership, the "future of possibilities" continues to include thoughtful oversight, strong community partnerships, and compassionate support for the children and families who rely on KidsAbility Centre for Child Development every day.
Learn more about the organizations supporting disability services across Canada and the impact they make. You can also explore local events happening in your community.
FAQ
1. What is KidsAbility?
KidsAbility Centre for Child Development provides pediatric rehabilitation services to children and youth with disabilities and developmental delays from birth to age 21 across Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington. Services include occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, physiotherapy, and autism support delivered in centres, schools, and community settings.
2. Who does KidsAbility serve, and how many families rely on these services?
KidsAbility serves children and youth with disabilities and developmental delays, along with their families, from birth to age 21. Last year, more than 17,000 children across Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington accessed services, many of them relying on KidsAbility as their primary source of specialized pediatric rehabilitation care.
3. What is the KidsAbility Foundation?
KidsAbility Foundation is an independent charitable organization that raises funds to support KidsAbility Centre for Child Development through programs, equipment, and services that go beyond what government funding covers. Fueled by passion to foster possibility for children, youth, and families, KidsAbility Foundation inspires philanthropic support, creating a future filled with hope and opportunity.
4. What is the relationship between KidsAbility Centre and KidsAbility Foundation?
The Foundation and the Centre share a name and a commitment to children and families, but they are separate organizations. The Foundation has its own board, its own governance, and its own finances. Its role is to secure donations that enhance the care the Centre delivers (beyond what government funding covers). Donors who give to the Foundation can be confident their gifts are directed to programs and services for kids and families.
5. How are donations to the Foundation used?
Donations support programs, equipment, and care that government funding does not fully address. This includes reducing wait times for screening, expanding access for families who face barriers, investing in modern therapy environments, and funding research and innovation that improve how care is delivered. Every dollar raised stays local and goes directly toward strengthening services for children and families in Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington.
