Great Grants Award Winners:  Champlain  (l-r) L. Robin Cardozo, CEO, OTF; Esther Bryan, Invitation: The Quilt of Belonging - Grant Review Team Chair's Award winner; Gisèle Richer, OTF Board member Ottawa, November 19th, 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 Ottawa, Monday, November 19, 2007.  The awards show will feature presentations by Robin Cardozo, CEO Ontario Trillium Foundation and Gisèle Richer, OTF Board Member. “The Great Grants Awards recognize the vision, commitment and energy of Ontario’s volunteers and their community organizations,” said Gérald Samson, OTF Grant Review Team Chair for Champlain. “This is our 25th year of strengthening communities and we’re marking the occasion by holding 16 award events across the province. We look forward to celebrating with our fellow community members who make Champlain such a dynamic and vibrant 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 Champlain, 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:  Champlain • Arts and Culture: Bells Corner Academy of Music When kids think of music, Jay-Z or Beyoncé may come to mind. In 2003, with the help of a two year OTF grant of $46,800, the Bells Corner Academy of Music challenged students to think outside the beat box. With professional musicians delivering workshops throughout National Capital Region elementary schools, the Academy introduced students to a new musical experience. Over 4,000 students participated in this hands-on music education program, with 65 workshops taking place in 32 schools, the majority of which were located in the inner-city. Students learned that making music is as much fun as listening to music. Music has been proven to help develop critical thinking skills, as well as math skills in kids. The initiative successfully worked at eliminating the idea that music is a “frill” subject.  A greater appreciation for all music – now that’s fly. • Sports and Recreation:  Rendez-vous des aînès francophones d’Ottawa In 2001, a core group of active francophone seniors formed Rendez-vous des Aînès Francophones d’Ottawa to provide social, recreational and educational activities for francophone seniors. Through hard work, the group purchased a school and converted it into a seniors centre.  In 2005, OTF granted $90,000 over three years to help the organization consolidate and expand its activities. In the past two years, the group’s membership has grown to over 600 people.  The organization has been very successful in developing a variety of programs that include workshops, art classes, walking clubs, travel and outings. The organization exudes a tremendous spirit of volunteerism. Over three years, the volunteer group has grown from a handful of dedicated board members to over 110 committed individuals. The centre is currently establishing a volunteer transportation service that will provide even greater access to programs and services. Retirement never looked so good. • Environment:  Sierra Youth Coalition c/o Sierra Club of Canada Foundation Protecting the environment and ensuring social justice are two of the biggest challenges modern societies face. Many young people are leading the charge and with the help of two OTF grants in 2004 and 2005 totalling $99,800, the Sierra Youth Coalition is front and centre. With the grant, the group developed and established the Community Youth Action Project, to engage high school students on environmental and social justice issues in their own communities.  In 2005, 100 youth participated in implementing the three phase program. Through youth gatherings, workshops on social justice and environmental imperatives and the development of action plans, youth connected with their communities and each other. Online resources were created so participants could document and exchange program ideas. An atmosphere of support and inclusion ensured that all youth had a voice in the project. The Sierra Youth Coalition proves that young people are part of the solution.  • Human and Social Services:  Alzheimer Society of Ottawa The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa offers support and compassion for both persons with the illness and their caregivers. In 2001 and again in 2004, OTF gave grants totaling $204,000 to help the organization develop and implement a vital new program. Through First Link, the organization makes initial contact with newly diagnosed persons and caregivers and provides ongoing information and support. Over the three year period of the grant, the organization helped close to 1,000 families and developed strong partnerships with over 300 physicians. A series of workshops are available in English and French to further inform and assure loved ones. The First Link program has demonstrated that if people are given support throughout the progression of the illness, those with Alzheimer’s are likely to remain in the community. The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa is a first link for support, and is first with us. • Grant Review Team Chair’s Award - for exemplary volunteerism: Invitation: The Quilt of Belonging  In 2003, OTF granted over $55 thousand dollars to a group involved in a unique project.  The Quilt of Belonging is Canada’s most comprehensive textile art project.  The quilt has been entirely made by the work of volunteers from Victoria to Newfoundland to the Arctic Circle. Over several years, people have been invited to contribute their talents and ideas. The range of quilt materials includes sealskin, African mud-cloth and embroidered silk and the quilt’s 263 blocks represent all the First Peoples of Canada and every nation in the world.  Over 40 thousand volunteer hours have been contributed to this truly nation-building project. The quilt is on a five year tour across Canada and has just been shown in Houston, Texas, at the International Quilt Festival.  • 25th Anniversary Award - for remaining a leader in the not-for profit or charitable sector by consistently delivering on the Foundation’s granting priorities: L’Association canadienne-francaise de l’Ontario, Conseil regional d’Ottawa French Canadian heritage is a source of pride and admiration for all Canadians. It is an integral part of our identity as a country. In 2005, OTF granted the Association canadienne-francaise de l’Ontario, Conseil regional d’Ottawa $195,500 over three years to promote and celebrate Franco-Ontarian heritage in schools A network of student ambassadors of the Franco-Ontarian flag was established to bring history and culture alive for kids. Children first apply to be ambassadors and once selected, are sworn in by volunteer parents and teachers and are trained in their roles as promoters of the French language and heritage. Through the program, students learn about Franco-Ontarian history and gain pride in the accomplishments of its people. Support from French language school boards and throughout the Politique d’amenagement linguistique is being sought by the organization to enable the program to be self-sustaining. Vive le drapeau! Back to the events list