Great Grants Award Winners: Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Sudbury (Centre) Dianne Jack and Carole Dodge of Sudbury Better Beginnings Better Futures accept the 25th Anniversary Award from (far left); Huguette Roy-Perron, OTF Grant Review Team Chair; Shirley Cheechoo, OTF Board member Sudbury, November 5, 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 Sudbury, November 5, 2007.  The evening will be hosted by Glenn Thibeault, Executive Director, United Way Sudbury. “The Great Grants Awards recognize the vision, commitment and energy of Ontario’s volunteers and community organizations,” said Hugette Roy-Perron, Grant Review Team Chair for Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Sudbury. “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 Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin and Sudbury 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 Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Sudbury, 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: Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Sudbury  • Arts and Culture: Myths and Mirrors Community Arts  Building community and inspiring hope can be done in many ways. Myths and Mirrors Community Arts is unique in bringing people together to find meaning in their experiences through theatre, visual arts, music, games and education. In 2003, OTF gave the Sudbury-based organization $150,000 to engage diversity groups, francophones and aboriginal people, in developing community art projects reflecting the theme of belonging. The two year project captured Sudbury’s imagination.  5,000 people participated in the creation of 15 major artworks, including sculpture, an outdoor mural and a full length play.  Many were youth or from low income groups with little access to the arts. Engaging people through self-expression promoted belonging in a colourful way.  Thanks to Myths and Mirrors, residents of Sudbury have a creative voice. • Sports and Recreation: KidSport Timmins Founded in 2002 as a chapter of the national organization, KidSport Timmins helps children and youth from low income families play the sports they love. A six year old basketball player with hoop dreams was KidSport Timmin’s first recipient of the group’s services. In 2003, dreams continued to grow, thanks to an OTF grant of $65,000 over two years. KidSport Timmins hired a coordinator and opened an office at the Family YMCA. KidSport is volunteer driven and during the span of the grant period, some 90 volunteers contributed 4,000 hours of their time and energy. To date, over 525 children have had help with equipment and registration fees and are now active in swimming, hockey, soccer and martial arts. Hometown hockey star Steve Sullivan is a strong supporter and honorary board member of KidSport Timmins. Kidsport Timmins will continue to help kids reach their goals. Allfor sports and sports for all! • Environment: Sudbury Children’s Water Festival c/o Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition Water is the source of life.  In Ontario we enjoy an abundance of it and protecting and preserving our water is essential . In 2005, when the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition sought to establish a Children’s Water Festival in Sudbury, OTF dove in with a grant of $39,000. The 2005 Sudbury Children’s Water Festival was a first for Northern Ontario. Held at Science North, the free four day event encouraged Grade 3 students to become aware of Ontario’s primary natural resource. They learned traditional aboriginal teachings about water and there were 30 hands-on bilingual activity centres to engage kids about water use, consumption and protection. Some 800 students participated in the festival and 173 volunteers were trained to run the activities. The Sudbury Children’s Water Festival is now an annual event and has made a big splash in the community. • Human and Social Services: Algoma Residential Community Hospice The Algoma Residential Community Hospice seeks to provide compassionate care to dying persons and their families in the Sault Ste. Marie area.  In 2004 with the assistance of a three year $80,000 OTF grant, the Hospice created a day program. An innovative approach to care, the Day Hospice Program gives emotional, social and spiritual support to people in the area with a life threatening illness, and a day of respite for caregivers. Participants enjoy relaxation and companionship in a comfortable environment with the help of a palliative care nurse. Complementary therapies like massage, yoga, music and art are offered as well as a delicious lunch. Best of all, good conversation in a caring setting allows them to feel at home. There are 38 volunteers who continue to help make the Day Hospice a warm and loving place. • Grant Review Team Chair’s Award - for exemplary volunteerism: Timmins Volunteer Centre How does a person with no work experience get a job? Since 1979, the Timmins Volunteer Centre has addressed that question. It recruits and matches volunteers with non-profit agencies, while providing training for people working with volunteers.  In 2003, the Foundation gave the Centre a three year $122,500 granted to establish the Young People on Board Initiative, which focused on recruiting youth aged 15 to 24, as well as skilled professionals and persons with special needs. Significant strides were made. 69 youth received practical experience and mentoring, 87 special needs volunteers benefited from job coaching and 72 professionals donated time to various groups.  Dedicated to inclusiveness, the Timmins Volunteer Centre continues to shine as a great community organization. Like the saying goes -- grant given by OTF: $122,500. Increase in volunteer base: 228. Gaining practical experience: priceless. • 25th Anniversary Award - for remaining a leader in the not-for profit or charitable sector by consistently delivering on the Foundation’s granting priorities: Sudbury Better Beginnings Better Futures Thanks to Better Beginnings, pre-teens in Sudbury’s Donovan and Flour Mill area now have a better alternative to the street.  Since 1989, the group, a past OTF grantee, has promoted a healthy environment in the Donovan and Flour Mill area. This diverse neighbourhood is home to many low income families without the resources to register their children in sports or recreational activities. In 2002, the Sudbury Better Beginnings Better Futures was given $77,000 over two years to launch a pre-teen recreational program. This has been a hit with families. Over 200 kids have had fun after school playing games and sports, and getting homework help. 40 active volunteers ensure this free program keeps running. Snacks, sports and fun in a friendly place beat the street any day. Back to the events list