$1.4m given to 27 community groups helping Halton Region residents

Almost $1.4 million in funding has been awarded by Halton Region for community programs and projects to help enhance the health and well-being for all Halton residents. This funding, offered through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund in one, two or three year grants, will support 27 programs that address mental health, prevent homelessness, support older adults, children and youth, and address other social needs of Halton’s residents.This year, the following programs will receive funding from the Halton Region Community Investment Fund:

• Acclaim Health to help support seniors day programs;
• ArtHouse to expand leadership programming;
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton to help empower girls from diverse backgrounds while building leadership skills and promoting healthy lifestyles;
• Canadian Mental Health Association (Halton branch) to provide 24/7 mental health and addictions support in the community and expand their free walk-in counseling program;
• Catholic Family Services of Hamilton to support seniors living in self-neglect by connecting them with services and helping improve their environment to prevent eviction;
• Community Living North Halton to develop a retail training program for people with developmental disabilities, as well as purchasing a passenger van to provide transportation to day activities programs;
• Community Living Oakville to establish a café to provide job and meal preparation skills to people who have a developmental disability;
• Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel-Halton to help educate girls about the risks of sexual exploitation and support girls who have been exploited;
• ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development to support a drama program for children with mobility, developmental and speech challenges;
• Front Line Outreach to support youth leadership training through a summer program;
• Girls Incorporated of Halton to provide group programs to build girls’ self-esteem in schools;
• Halton Aphasia Centre to support individuals in rebuilding communications skills as a result of aphasia;
• Halton Family Services to help increase access to counseling services in Halton;
• Halton Women’s Place to collaborate with the Reach Out Centre for Kids to support the mental health needs of children living at Halton Women’s Place with their parent. Funding is also being provided to help replace flooring;
• HIPPY Oakville (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) to help newcomer families provide preschool education to their children;
• John Howard Society of Peel, Halton and Dufferin to provide group programming to help change abusive behaviours among males involved in domestic violence, as well funding to support programming for individuals who are at an elevated risk of committing an offence or being victimized;
• Kerr Street Mission to help train and mentor volunteers to support people in distress;
• Milton Transitional Housing Corporation to increase availability of bridge accommodation and supportive one-to-one counseling to people in housing crisis;
• Oakville Kiwanis Meals on Wheels to support and promote their meal delivery program;
• Oakville Parent-Child Centre to help support neighbourhood-based early childhood education programs;
• The Oakville Strokers to support an aquatic exercise and intellectual stimulation program for stroke survivors;
• Radius Child and Youth Services to improve access to assessment and treatment programming for children, youth and families affected by abuse and/or neglect;
• Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) to purchase computers for a homework support program, as well as expanding a breastfeeding support program;
• Shifra Homes for kitchen repairs at their maternity residence that supports young women who are pregnant and at-risk of homelessness;
• Start2Finish Canada to support an after-school program focused on physical activity, character building and literacy skills;
• Summit Housing & Outreach Programs to increase access to social/recreation programs and peer mentorship for clients with a mental health diagnosis through enhanced transportation; and
• YMCA Oakville to provide opportunities for low-income and promising youth to develop leadership skills, expertise and certifications in sport and recreation.

In addition to this program funding, 10 organizations will receive their second installment of a multi-year grant that was awarded in 2015. Next month, Regional Council will award an additional $200,000 to organizations that address food insecurity.To learn more about the Halton Region Community Investment Fund and how it supports programs that address needs among residents that experience social inequities, visit halton.ca/investmentfund or dial 311.