“The McGuinty government recognizes the numerous benefits that arts, culture and recreational programs bring to our communities,” said Minister Carroll. “These Ontario Trillium Foundation grants will have a powerful impact on local economies and improve the quality of life for Ontario families."

Grants will enable groups to create more social, cultural and recreational activities, remove barriers to full participation and promote healthy living. The Foundation, through the Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin Grant Review Team and its Chair, Donald Bourgeois, believes this is the way to build healthy and vibrant communities.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Ontario's 2008 spring budget boosted the Foundation's annual funding to $110 million from $105 million, which will be further increased to $120 million by 2009-2010.

The Community grants listed below were ratified on June 26, 2008.

Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation
$25,600 over six months for a fully integrated software information system. Efficient data-transaction processing along with functionality will be provided for: donor management, investment and fund management, granting and financial management.

Cambridge Community Orchestra
$33,900 over two years to retain the music conductor/director position. The orchestra will then be able to respond to community demand and implement its marketing and resource development strategies.

Cambridge Neighbourhood Profiles c/o Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries
$60,100 over one year to conduct the quantitative research phase of a 2008 neighbourhood profiles report. It will provide an update on the demographics, strengths and capacities of Cambridge neighbourhoods, in order to enhance service effectiveness.

Cambridge Sculpture Garden
$5,000 over one year for publication materials, program costs and advertisements to support the organization in launching a new outdoor art exhibit to benefit the Cambridge community.

CHOICES Youth Shelter
$93,000 over two years for staff resources and training. These will strengthen the organization’s capacity to improve program delivery for youth who are at risk in the Orangeville area.
 
Fergus Tennis Club
$48,000 to install a lighting system at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex. This upgrade will support two newly established tennis courts, enhancing their accessibility and availability to the general public, especially young people.

Grand River CarShare
$40,000 over one year to attract volunteers and improve the group’s skills, income and effectiveness. Training, staff and consulting services will be obtained to help strengthen its environmental and social-economic impact in Waterloo region.

Greenlands Collaborative c/o Elora Cataract Trailway Association
$116,400 over two years for staff and equipment to involve the public in a mapping, designing and implementation project. The resulting strategy will help guide the development of additional green space in the Township of Central Wellington.

Grey Wellington Theatre Guild
$11,600 over one year to install a new sound system in the theatre facility in Harriston. This upgrade will enhance the selection and staging of the group’s musical productions, especially children's musical performances.

Guelph Symphony Orchestra
$10,000 over one year to purchase orchestral music. These new tools will help to expand the organization's library and support it as it delivers public performances annually in Wellington County.

Guelph/Wellington Community Leadership Institute c/o Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington
$87,600 over 18 months to research, design and implement a community-based leadership program for Guelph Wellington.

The HelpNow Project c/o Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington
$108,100 over 18 months to improve service delivery to child victims of sexual abuse in Guelph and Wellington counties. A network of service providers and clinicians will be established to develop a model of co-ordination, training and evaluation.

Hespeler Minor Softball Association Incorporated
$15,000 over one year to purchase a range of quality softball equipment to support safer participation in the sport of softball by over 500 children and youth in Cambridge.

kidsLINK
$82,300 over three years for a study to expand Tools for Life, a program for children aged 4 to 10 years who are at risk in Waterloo region. A longitudinal, evidence-based evaluation of this highly rated pilot will be developed and completed.

Kin Canada
$61,000 over one year to update the mechanical and electrical systems of the national headquarters building in Cambridge, making it more energy efficient and usable.

Kitchener-Waterloo Diving Club
$8,700 over one year for equipment that will assist the club in increasing its participation rates and help improve the training centre’s safety for athletes.

Kitchener-Waterloo Extend-A-Family
$91,300 over two years for a community developer position that will allow the organization to be more responsive to meet the needs of families and individuals.

Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre
$70,000 over one year for the start-up capital costs to construct an accessible, community outdoor learning environment. This recreational space will improve and support the physical well-being and education of families in the Waterloo community.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 233 - Orangeville
$40,000 over one year to help upgrade the hall and make it more accessible to people of all abilities in Orangeville. These improvements will help ensure that all community members are able to fully participate in the Legion’s programs and services.

Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society
$30,400 over one year to develop volunteer recruitment and management systems.  New and existing volunteers will be trained, increasing the capacity of this tourism and heritage initiative, which serves residents and visitors in Waterloo region.

Supporting Kids in Camp c/o KidsAbility Centre for Child Development
$84,200 over two years for a project co-ordinator, training and expenses to implement a Kids in Camp program. Camp staff will be trained to integrate children with disabilities into their programs across Wellington County.

Three Centuries Festival (Elora Festival)
$36,000 over one year to purchase 750 theatre-style stacking chairs for use in the Gambrel Barn, the main stage performance venue of the Elora Festival each summer.

Volunteer Action Centre of K-W and Area Inc.
$130,400 over two years for staff, equipment and tools to develop, test, and evaluate various ways to engage teams of volunteers from  business and higher education institutions in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

Waterloo Regional Boxing Academy
$75,000 over one year for boxing equipment that will improve safety and increase participation in sports for over 200 youth, encouraging them to remain in school and build their academic skills.

Waterloo Regional Matmen Wrestling Club
$30,000 over one year toward the purchase of new wrestling mats in order to provide youth with opportunities to more safely participate in the sport.

Waterloo Regional REACT
$39,800 over one year to purchase new radio equipment. The upgrades will help to enhance the organization's technological capacity and its support to over 40 community events attended by 40,000 people across Waterloo Region annually.

Woolwich Interfaith Counselling Society
$75,000 over one year to support energy efficient upgrades to the society’s new building in Elmira. The organization will then be able to continue to provide confidential services to members of the rural community.