By Staff
March 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) announced today that is has awarded 25 grants to a wide array of charitable organizations serving Burlington. A total of $90,615 in grants was distributed.
These grants are a result of a Call for Applications that was distributed to local charitable partners in October. The Call followed the release of BCF’s Vital Signs® community check-up report on October 1, 2013. This report, which shared many of Burlington’s successes in employment levels, living standards, and public safety, also highlights the sometimes unseen concerns, including residents living in poverty, and challenges facing both youth and seniors, especially regarding mental health. The complete report can be viewed on-line at burlingtonfoundation.org/vital-signs.
The Community Foundation’s Vital signs report identifies some of the problems Burlington strives to deal with; the Grant program provides funds to resolve some of the problems.
“Our 2013 Vital Signs Report reminds us of all we have to be proud of in Burlington, and the many reasons that we call this wonderful city home,” said Colleen Mulholland, President & CEO, Burlington Community Foundation. “At the same time, the report again brings into focus that people, including children and seniors, are living on the boundaries and are truly struggling every day to meet basic needs.”
One of the organizations receiving funding is Acclaim Health, with a grant in support of a Music Care Program for Seniors with Dementia. Melissa Cameron, Acclaim’s Director, Development and Marketing, comments: “Your investment will allow us to engage a music therapist and train our staff, ensuring your grant will have a long-lasting impact on seniors with dementia in our community. We sincerely appreciate your support.”
“I was greeted with wonderful news this morning – a grant confirmation from the Burlington Community Foundation. The ArtHouse application is an indication of the need to provide cost-free arts programs to Burlington families that have little or no discretionary funds to access paid programs. Your support means so much for these wonderful young artists, who could not otherwise participate,” says Don Pangman, Founder and Artistic Director, ArtHouse.
2014-15 Grant Applications will be received in the fall of this year. Charities are encouraged to visit the website at burlingtonfoundation.org/grant-seekers to learn more about the grants process, or they may contact Sandra Baker, Director, Development and Community Engagement at sbaker@burlingtonfoundation.org to learn more.
Organizations and amount of the grant given:
Acclaim Health Music Care Program for Seniors with Dementia 3,000
ArtHouse Weekly after school programs for children in at-risk neighbourhoods, with a focus on arts. 2,000
Bay Area Restoration Council Education and Restoration of Cootes Paradise Marsh 2,500
Bruce Trail Conservancy Cedar Springs Woods Land Management Plan 2,545
Burlington Central FIRST Robotics Program Students work with teachers outside school hours to create a robot suitable for a competition taking place in April 2014. 5,000
Burlington Teen Tour Band Boosters Angel Fund: A pool of funds that provides subsidy for lower-income band members. 2,370
Central West Specialized Developmental Services – Halton Support Services Halton Sibshops: Siblings of children with developmental issues receive support and education in a positive environment. 2,000
Easter Seals Ontario Kids to Camp–Healthy Minds, Happy Kids 2,000
Food for Life and BurlingtonGreen Grow To Give: A collaborative project where volunteers learn and practice gardening life skills and share harvested food with those in need in Burlington. 3,531
Food4Kids Hamilton Halton Niagara Backpacks are filled with healthy food for at-risk, low income children who would have little to no food over the weekend. 4,000
Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation Expansion of the Mental Health Services – Childhood and Adolescent Program 4,000
King’s Road Public School (Halton Learning Foundation) Connecting Kids to Music: Provides a guitar for grade six students to play and perform. 4,000
Nelson Youth Centres Therapeutic Summer Program: 8 week program for children with moderate social and emotional issues. 4,000
Plains Road Village Vision/Aldershot BIA Public Art Project: The group intends to purchase a piece of public art for a busy Aldershot intersection. 1,844
ROCK – Reach Out Centre for Kids Our Community Cares Healthy Living Project: An ongoing after School and summer camp program for at-risk children and youth. 7,000
Rolling Meadows Public School (Halton Learning Foundation) Skateboarding & Re-engagement: A re-engagement tool for grade eight students with severe behaviour issues. 1,565
Royal Botanical Gardens Green Angels Program: A pool of funds made available to schools participating in RBG environmental school programs. 2,500
Sports4You (YMCA) Free, weekly recreation program for 10-12 year olds in the lower-income area of Warwick-Surrey. All children are welcome. 8,800
St. Christopher’s Church Open Doors Outreach Program, Community Kitchen and Meal Network 4,960
STRIDE – Supported Training and Rehabilitation in Diverse Environments Helping Youth Prepare for Employment: Addresses the needs of youth age 16 to 24 who have mental health and addiction issues. 7,500
Support & Housing Halton Growing your Life Skills Workshop: Workshop series promotes independence for people living with mental health challenges. 2,500
The Equestrian Association for the Disabled Trot On! Equestrian activities enhancing mental health outcomes for children and youth with developmental and physical disabilities. 3,000
Tottering Biped Theatre To create a theatre piece that explores themes of isolation and loss among youth in the digital age. 3,500
United Way of Greater Hamilton Burlington and ADAPT Halton Know the DEAL: Provides information and support regarding substance abuse. 4,000
YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford Beyond the Bell – Home Library Project: An academic after school program for lower-income children. 2,500
Background links:
Masquerade Ball – Major Community Foundation fund-raiser.
Vital Signs: the city’s social health.
Thanks for the breakdown of programs involved.
It is very hard to evaluate these programs without a detailed description of their work, however, I have first hand knowledge of The Equestrian Association for the Disabled, as I have volunteered there for many years. They do some very amazing work with children, youth and adults who have physical and mental disablilites. Horseback riding is very therapeutic for the riders.
I wonder about the description of “King’s Road Public School (Halton Learning Foundation) Connecting Kids to Music: Provides a guitar for grade six students to play and perform. 4,000”
Does one guitar really cost $4,000?
There must be more to it than that.