Investing in Ontario's Children and Youth

Children and youth across the province will be better off, thanks to over $2 million in Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Province-Wide (PW) grants announced on February 9, 2005. The Ontario Trillium Foundation recently hosted key partners from the children and youth services sector to honour the work of seven recent PW grant recipient organizations. Among the supporters on hand to celebrate the funding for children and youth were MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Laurel Broten, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton, Caroline Di Cocco, Ontario’s Chief Child Advocate Judy Finlay and OTF Board Chair Helen Burstyn. The seven organizations were: Canadian UNICEF Committee (UNICEF Canada), Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System of the London Family Court Clinic, Operation Springboard, Parents for Children's Mental Health, the Students Commission, Voices for Children and YOUCAN Youth Canada Association.

Lisa Wolf (UNICEF Canada), Cathy Vine (Voices for Children), Stoney McCart (Students Commission), OTF Board Chair Helen Burstyn, MPP Laurel Broten, MPP Caroline Di Cocco, Dave Farthing (Youth Canada Association), Ontario's Chief Child Advocate Judy Finlay, Peter Jaffe (Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System of the London Family Court Clinic) and Marg Stanowski (Operation Springboard).

Ms Broten brought greetings from Premier Dalton McGuinty. He expressed his personal best wishes and applauded the Ontario Trillium Foundation for “its pivotal role in building better neighbourhoods, stronger communities and a more cohesive and caring society. Through the remarkable work of the OTF, charitable and non-profit organizations, Aboriginal communities and local government have the opportunity to bring about positive change and make a real difference in the lives of countless citizens.” The seven province-wide grants will fund a range of programs to address violence, substance abuse and provide support for mental health and well-being among children and youth throughout Ontario. “This $2,070,900 investment from our Province-Wide Program is targeted to community organizations that deliver high-impact results in the children and youth services sector,” said OTF Board Chair Helen Burstyn. “We are delighted to have brought together these seven community partners to engage in strategic discussions on where the sector is going and how OTF will support it.” More than one in three Foundation grants benefit children, youth and families. They support a wide range of activities, including increased access to and availability of programming, social supports and services, public awareness, education and training, festivals and events. Between April 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004, OTF invested more than $20 million in over 300 grants, designed to benefit organizations and activities related to children, youth and families. Click here for specific information on the seven grants.