Brantford, ON - On Wednesday, local MPP Will Bouma joined Lansdowne Children’s Centre (LCC) members to celebrate the impact of a $227,700 Grow grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for children and youth with special needs, and their families.
“I recently toured the Lansdowne Children’s Centre with Minister Michael Parsa and was most impressed with the quality of programs and services offered to children in our community,”
said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “This grant by the Ontario Trillium Foundation is another example of our Government’s commitment to children and their wellbeing. I am looking forward to seeing more good things come out of Lansdowne in the years to come.”
Awarded to Lansdowne Children’s Centre in 2020 and implemented in 2021, the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow grant helped expand programming for local youth with special needs moving from children to adult services.Targeting transitional-aged youth, the program topics include developing independence, healthy relationships and sexual education. They provide youth with the education and skills needed to develop confidence and assertiveness to reduce risk.
“We are so honoured to have been chosen as a recipient of the Grow grant. Through client feedback we continue to learn what is most important to our youth who may face barriers developing strong emotional and social skills..."
said Rita-Marie Hadley, Lansdowne Executive Director. "The OTF Grow Grant has given us an opportunity to enhance programs to better meet the needs of our youth population.”
A Youth Counsellor role was created to provide youth clients with the individualized support they needed. Existing programs were enhanced with individual follow-up giving youth the opportunity to apply learned skills in their home and community environments. Group programs were extended to offer flexible program delivery, including individualized 1:1 sessions and/or level-sensitive programming for youth with physical, developmental, or emotional barriers.
Lisa Watters is a parent of a youth client who accesses support through Lansdowne's site in Caledonia. She shares her appreciation for the expanded services and the Ontario Trillium investment that made it possible;
"I've found the support we've received through social work and CYW so helpful. We've watched our child grow and learn so many valuable skills. Our child is able to better identify how they are feeling and is working on problem solving to determine the best solution should problems arise. We are so grateful for all the help in achieving our goals."
Studies and experience have shown that youth with special needs are at a higher risk of victimization and isolation as they grow into their adult years. Through the grant-funded project, transitional-age youth with special needs were able to connect with child and youth workers and social workers, and access programs designed for developing confidence, assertiveness and safety awareness.
ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships.
Visit otf.ca to learn more.