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ARTS AND CULTURE
CANADA SOUTH SCIENCE CITY (WINDSOR)
Science and technology fun in Windsor
Can learning about science and technology be fun? Canada South Science City never doubted it. And they were right! Canada South Science City opened in March 2004. Since then, many thousands of children, families and people of all ages have visited its interactive, hands-on exhibits. In its first year, over 100 schools visited the centre. Canada South Science City keeps drawing more tourists to the area.
Implementing a strong marketing strategy was essential for the centre to reach its revenue projections. Thanks to $225,000 over three years in funding from OTF, Canada South Science City was well advertised and promoted in Southwestern Ontario. This youth and family-based recreational facility has far exceeded all expectations.
CAROUSEL PLAYERS (ST. CATHARINES)
Studio Theatre Space: Act II for historic building
Ever since it provided a home for Carousel Players, St. Catharines’ quiet Old Court House Building has been resonating with the sound of applause. Carousel Players and other performing arts groups now have a well equipped venue in which to stage their performances. With the help of a $60,800 OTF grant over six months, Carousel Players renovated the 120-seat Studio Theatre Space by providing portable seating, stage lighting and sound equipment.
The Studio Theatre Space, an intimate performance space, is also available as a meeting place to other community groups. It is boosting St. Catharines’ profile as a cultural destination while enhancing the revitalization of the downtown area.
FRANCOSCÉNIE INC. (PRESCOTT-RUSSELL)
The spirit of a community
For Prescott-Russell residents, Francoscénie’s “L’Écho d’un peuple” is more than a large-scale musical celebrating 400 years of Francophone presence in North America. In 2004, Francoscénie launched one of the most significant artistic achievements of the local community. “L’Écho d’un peuple” attracted over 30,000 spectators in its first season and garnered the prestigious Trille Or for best musical event of 2005 presented by Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique (APCM).
In 2003, Francoscénie received a $30,000 OTF grant over six months. The event generated over $1 million for the Prescott-Russell economy. Local volunteers with “L’Écho d’un peuple” built the stage, put the production together and acted in it night after night. The production is now used as a teaching tool at Francophone schools. L’Écho d’un peuple is about the spirit of a community - the Francophone community of Prescott-Russell.
SKETCH (TORONTO)
Skills to draw on
Toronto homeless and at-risk for homelessness youth are being given the skills they need to find themselves an active role in their community. Sketch integrates diverse arts programs with job and life skills training for youth aged 16 to 29. Participants in the program find the confidence and skills necessary to leave the street, return to school or find employment. With the help of over 100 volunteers and Sketch staff, youth are better equipped to turn their lives around.
In 2003, OTF provided $210,000 over three years to fund Sketch staff salaries and cover key program costs. Participants can enjoy art making in the community, exhibition and sale of artwork, connections to mentorship and apprenticeships in the arts industry and support for education or a career in the arts.
ENVIRONMENT
THE BRUCE PENINSULA BIOSPHERE ASSOCIATION: 2004 PROVINCIAL ENVIROTHON (TOBERMORY)
Green lessons in Tobermory
For four days in May 2004, more than 200 students, teachers, resource professionals and volunteers from over 20 different communities met in Tobermory for the 2004 Provincial Envirothon competition. They came to propose realistic green solutions and left behind five Legacy Projects to enhance local forestry, wildlife and soil.
For the first time in its history, the competition, founded by the Ontario Forestry Association, was held in a totally rural community and it captured the whole community’s attention. Participants, volunteers and local residents had the unique opportunity to understand environmental issues better and see first-hand how living things are interconnected. A $48,400 OTF grant over one year was used to promote the competition, train over 250 local volunteers and help transport and house participants.
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT ALLIANCE: SHARE-IT (PEEL REGION)
Gapping the digital divide
Low-income families and individuals often must do without the technological tools that have become essential for school work or job searching. Share-IT, a project by the Community Environment Alliance, is reducing the digital divide in Peel Region. With materials from a computer firm, Share-IT’s volunteers recycle computers, printers, scanners and cell phones and distribute them locally.
Since 2003, the organization has also raised public awareness of hazardous e-waste. Share-IT not only “connects” low-income families, it improves life prospects at the same rate it reduces hazardous e-waste in landfill sites. The success of the recycling program has raised interest across Ontario and abroad. OTF’s $219,000 grant over three years has been used to hire staff and volunteer support and cover administrative costs.
COMMUNITY STREAM STEWARD PROGRAM (PETERBOROUGH)
Reviving nature
Urban habitats are gaining ground over wildlife. How can we rescue the streams and rivers affected by this proximity? Community Stream Steward Program’s answer is simple: one meter at a time! To involve local communities in the care and preservation of streams, this initiative has been recruiting and training volunteer stewards since the summer of 2003. It mobilized individual volunteers, landowners and organizations in Durham Region, Northumberland, Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The Community Stream Steward Pilot Program boasts a total reach of over 80,000 residents and in its first year has naturalized 1,700 m of shore in several communities. Already the successful pilot project is serving as a model for other areas beyond the original boundaries. Provincial and national organizations are interested in taking this model further. The program received $225,000 over three years from OTF to organize hands-on community involvement in stream conservation and restoration.
TREES FOR TOMORROW (THAMES VALLEY)
Seeing the forest and the trees
When Oxford, Elgin and Middlesex counties tree planting groups and organizations discovered there was a shortage of native tree stock available, they came together to form Trees for Tomorrow. Local schools, community groups, people with developmental disabilities and experts got out their gardening gear to join them. In 2003, they started harvesting native acorns, walnuts and other seeds, and growing saplings. They have now planted over 20,000 trees with the help of 5,000 people.
Thousands of elementary and secondary students and adults of all abilities are now learning about their area’s natural history. Through the effort of Trees for Tomorrow and a $138,400 OTF grant over three years, a whole community has come together to preserve its forests for future generations.
HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES
CROSSING ALL BRIDGES LEARNING CENTRE (BRANTFORD)
Strengthening independence through abilities
When a determined group of mothers wanted more options for their children with developmental disabilities, they created their own learning centre. Today, students at the Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre build on the skills they developed in high school to provide more opportunities for work and community living.
Activities at the popular learning centre include formal learning as well as preparing meals, personal fitness and money management. The centre was awarded $75,000 over six months by OTF to renovate a section of the Brantwood Centre. It opened in November 2003 with 20 students.
GRIEVING CHILDREN AT SEASONS CENTRE (BARRIE)
Healing support
When trying to come to terms with a loss or a personal trauma, sharing your grief will often bring some relief. Created in 1995, Barrie’s Grieving Children at Seasons Centre has helped hundreds of children and teenagers deal with bereavement and grief issues and avoid abuse, drug addiction, depression and other negative responses to loss.
Grieving Children at Seasons Centre, with its 40 well trained volunteers, provides its programs free of charge. It received $115,000 over two years from OTF to upgrade their information technology equipment, develop an awareness campaign for the centre and enhance program activities. With OTF’s assistance, support programs at the centre have doubled.
ST. JOSEPH IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S CENTRE: VOCATIONAL ORIENTATION FOR FOREIGN-TRAINED NURSES PILOT PROJECT (HAMILTON)
Nurses without borders
With a shortage of nurses in Ontario, helping experienced, foreign-trained nurses find employment is a healthy idea. In 2003, Hamilton’s St. Joseph’s Immigrant Women’s Centre started providing help for nurses to overcome language and academic barriers. In addition to assistance, its innovative pilot training program also delivered hope to these new Canadians.
This successful pilot project was established with $25,200 grant over 18 months. It has raised awareness of professional immigrants trained overseas, attracting government funding and making possible the creation of an office to support foreign-trained individuals in the Hamilton area. As a result, 14 individuals are now fully employed in Ontario’s health care system.
TUTORING FOR KIDS COALITION: COMMUNITY LIVING PRINCE EDWARD (PICTON)
It takes a whole village… and two counties
In Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, students are happy to extend their days at school because they have a lot to show for it: improved marks and self-esteem. During the 2003-2004 school year, 125 local retired teachers, high school students, community members and parents answered Tutoring for Kids’ call for help. They trained as volunteer tutors for a 14-month pilot after-school learning program for at-risk Grade 1 to 8 students.
Tutoring for Kids, a coalition of six area community agencies and the local school board, offered its no-cost program to over 300 students primarily from areas of high unemployment and larger representation of single-parent families in 16 communities. Created with the help of a $90,400 OTF grant, the pilot project exceeded all expectations. Tutors, who brought their skills and their love of learning, contributed 9,670 volunteer hours. Participating students showed improvement in math, reading, grades in general and self-esteem.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
SUDBURY BETTER BEGINNINGS BETTER FUTURES
Cool after school
When parents have to work long hours, who takes care of their children after school? As a safe and active alternative to the street, television or computer games, Sudbury Better Beginnings Better Futures operates its after-school program for 9 to 13 year olds. Located in an economically disadvantaged neighbourhood, it provides healthy snacks and a supportive and stimulating atmosphere in which to do homework, learn crafts or play various games and sports.
Better Beginnings was awarded $77,000 over two years to support the salaries of two childcare workers, program materials and food supplies. It provides services in English and French.
LAKEHEAD CANOE CLUB (THUNDER BAY)
Paddling all the way to the top
Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world today. Since acquiring four dragon boats in January 2004, Thunder Bay’s Lakehead Canoe Club has seen a dramatic increase in participation from local youth and adults. Dragon boat races attracted an impressive 3,300 regional paddlers. They were cheered on by more than 27,000 spectators.
The Lakehead Canoe Club makes its dragon boats available to other communities in an effort to build a strong Northwestern Ontario competitive force at the national level. In 2003, the club received $75,000 over one year from OTF to purchase the necessary equipment for racing and enhance fundraising festivals.
LAKE OF BAYS MARINE MUSEUM AND NAVIGATIONAL SOCIETY (DORSET)
The last witness of a bygone era
A century ago, visitors to Lake of Bays experienced the lake’s beauty from aboard majestic steamships. Today the last survivor of the original fleet, Bigwin, is being restored and made lakeworthy for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Dorset’s Bigwin Steamship Restoration Project is providing over 60 dedicated volunteers with boat building experience.
In 2004, OTF awarded $50,000 over two years for the restoration of Bigwin as a historical attraction for residents and tourists to the Lake of Bays. Through the restoration efforts of Lake of Bays Marine Museum and Navigational Society, a piece of local history is also being preserved.
RUN FOR LIFE (WATERLOO)
People on the move
People of all ages often need encouragement to get in the habit of regular physical exercise. Run for Life provides just that. In the Waterloo region, Run for Life and its fit volunteers are getting people moving. They have developed a strong network of community-based running groups and recreational programs for children over five years of age, youth and families.
Thanks to a $16,000 grant over one year from OTF, Run for Life was able to train volunteers, provide coaching kits to help deliver the program to over 500 people and produce a short promotional video for students in Grades 4 to 6.
FINALISTS FROM THE PROVINCE-WIDE GRANTS PROGRAM
CANADIAN PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT:
C/O CANADIAN CHILD CARE FEDERATION
Growing up healthy
Children are uniquely vulnerable to toxic chemicals and other environmental hazards. Eleven health, social service and environmental groups joined in a partnership to protect children from indoor and outdoor hazards. Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and the Environment came up with solutions and useful tips for parents and decision-makers to childproof their homes, their schools and their communities.
Together these committed partners are educating the public and raising awareness of children’s environmental health issues. They have reached over 75,000 people through materials distribution, and 4,000 people through their workshops and seminars. Their comprehensive bilingual primer Child Health and the Environment is being distributed to decision-makers across government and the health, childcare and environment sectors. OTF provided $396,800 over three years in support of this initiative.
HISTORICA FOUNDATION OF CANADA: HISTORICA FAIRS
Young historians wanted
Does history have to be taught from a textbook? Not according to Historica Foundation of Canada. The organization champions another approach. For Grade 4 to 9 students, it makes a lot of sense to learn history by taking on the role of a storyteller or a local hero. And presenting at a regional or provincial Historica Fair makes researching their local history all the more compelling.
OTF invested $200,000 over 16 months to pilot the expansion of Historica Fairs in Ontario. It opened access to the program to 84,000 participants and involved 2,500 volunteers. The successful pilot project has generated renewed enthusiasm for history for the participating students and their teachers.
ONTARIO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION (OSEA):
COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
Growing green energy projects
More Ontarians are interested in green power alternatives than ever before. It has a lot to do with the relentless efforts of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) and its bold vision: to make community green power initiatives a widely acceptable option for meeting Ontario’s energy needs.
Propelled by overwhelming public interest, the association has provided nearly 100 workshops and presentations, reaching over 6,300 participants across Ontario. It offers ongoing technical support to communities interested in establishing community green energy projects. Through the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, OSEA is promoting the development of wind power as a potential source of income for farmers. OSEA received a $445,500 OTF grant over three years. As a direct result of OTF’s support, OSEA has fostered the development of new community power projects in Hamilton, Dufferin County, Prince Edward County, Schreiber, Thunder Bay, Temagami, Caledon and Grand River.
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