Great Grants Award Winners: Quinte, Kingston, Rideau (l-r) John McDougall, OTF Grant Review Team Chair; Sophia Hanafi, Lanark Transportation Association (winner of the Great Grant Award - Human and Social Services); Hugh O'Neil, Vice-Chair, OTF; L. Robin Cardozo, CEO, OTF Kingston, October 22, 2007 – Six remarkable Ontario not-for-profit organizations will be honoured for the difference they have made in their communities at the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s 25th Anniversary celebration in Kingston, October 22, 2007.  The evening will be hosted by Hugh O’Neil, Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, Ontario Trillium Foundation. “The Great Grants Awards recognize the vision, commitment and energy of Ontario’s volunteers and community organizations,” said John McDougall, Grant Review Team Chair for Quinte, Kingston, Rideau. “This is our 25th year of strengthening communities and we’re celebrating by holding 16 award events across the province. We look forward to meeting community members in the Quinte, Kingston, Rideau Region who help make Ontario a great place to live.” The Foundation presents the Great Grants Awards every two years. The award winners were selected by volunteers who serve on the local Grant Review Team. In Quinte, Kingston, Rideau, six organizations were chosen for their outstanding achievements in the Arts and Culture, Sports and Recreation, Environment and Human and Social Services sectors. 2007 Great Grants Award Winners:  Quinte, Kingston, Rideau  • Arts and Culture: Tsi Kionhnheht ne Onkwawenna Language Circle The Mohawks of Tyendianaga Territory have lived on the shores of the Bay of Quinte since 1784. Over time, they have retained their cultural heritage through historical celebrations and commemorations. However, the Mohawk language was at risk of disappearing. With a population of 2,600, only a tiny percentage of its people retained any fluency. In 2006, OTF granted $39,000 to the group to establish a summer Mohawk language day-camp for children and continue with evening language courses for adults. The Language Circle has helped revitalize the Mohawk language. It is working with 80 community volunteers who will receive language training to offer activities in the Mohawk language. The organization has been instrumental in strengthening the identity and wellness of its people. Now we’re talking! • Sports and Recreation:  Centre Hastings Skatepark Committee c/o Community Futures Development Corporation of North & Central Hastings and South Algonquin With help from the Foundation, kids in the village of Madoc can “ollie off the kicker” at the Madoc Skatepark! In 2005, the Madoc Skatepark Committee, a six member collaborative led by the Community Futures Development Corporation of North and Central Hastings and South Algonquin, received $75,000 to develop a skate park. Fundraising efforts by the committee as well as community and youth volunteers brought in $500,000 to complete the work. The park offers an affordable summer day camp program to 40 children a week from the Centre Hastings area. Along with a large concrete surface area for older kids, the park has an accessible bunny park for young children and those with disabilities. The Madoc Skatepark is considered to be one of the finest skate parks anywhere. Madoc is one nifty place to ride the concrete wave. • Environment: Greater Bobs and Crows Lakes Association The Greater Bobs and Crow Lakes Association was formed to represent the interests of property owners, stakeholders and the lake environment they share. In 2004, OTF provided $71,500 over two years to help the association formulate a plan to preserve and enhance the environment around the Greater Bobs and Crow Lakes. The community-based initiative involved 15 public meetings, questionnaires for public input and consultation with government and commercial interests. Community involvement was critical to the success of the plan and all participants were heard. The consultation resulted in the Lake Stewardship Plan. Released this past summer, the plan is a thorough analysis of the area, with recommendations on how to improve the lakeside environment. For their stewardship and care, Crows Lake and Greater Bobs is great with us! • Human and Social Services: Lanark Transportation Association Located on the western boundary of Ottawa, Lanark County is a large geographic region that includes many municipalities. Lack of transportation and the affordability of available options is one of the most pressing issues facing low-income families and persons with disabilities in its rural communities. In 2006, Ontario Trillium Foundation granted the Lanark Transportation Association $35,000 over six months to buy a van that provided accessible transportation for eligible residents of Lanark County and Smith Falls. Today, 16 volunteers assist with fundraising and provide direction for the program. Rides have increased 300 per cent and demand is so high that LTA is considering requesting another van. Because of its success, the Association may now be the site for a provincial pilot program.  Thanks to LTA, people needing transportation in Lanark County now have a ticket to ride. • Grant Review Team Chair’s Award - for exemplary volunteerism: Rural Volunteer Capacity Development Initiative c/o Country Roads Community Health Centre The Country Roads Community Health Centre in Portland works in partnership with the community to provide individuals and families with total health care. The team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, a dietitian, chiropodist, social worker, community health worker and health promoter.  It also boasts an active volunteer base. In 2006, OTF awarded the Centre $140,000 over 36 months to increase its volunteer sector through a variety of strategies. In partnership with the North Lanark Community Centre, the Centre is identifying needs and developing a framework to support and train new volunteers in rural communities. So far, several focus groups have offered valuable input. The Centre is highly regarded for its innovation and excellence. With new volunteers, Country Roads is making inroads with the community. • 25th Anniversary Award - for remaining a leader in the not-for profit or charitable sector by consistently delivering on the Foundation’s granting priorities:  Youth Diversion Program Serving Frontenac County The Youth Diversion Program has been working with Kingston area young people in conflict with the law since 1974. Each year, the program serves over 600 at-risk youth between the ages of nine and 17 with support from 150 volunteers. In 2006, OTF granted the organization $47,200 for CARE, a pilot project to support victims of youth crime and to promote community awareness and education. The CARE program was highly successful and exceeded expectations. A total of 164 victims of youth crime were involved in the justice process, with 75 per cent attending court to meet with offenders. After meeting with victims, young offenders increased their empathy for their victims and became willingness to make amends for the harm they had caused. Thanks to the highly respected work of the program and its volunteers, victims of youth crime have a voice that is heard.   Back to the events list