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Innisfil Community Foundation grants $75,000 to five local charities

Grants were given to the YMCA, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, Innisfil Community Church, Canadian Mental Health Association and Catholic Family Service Simcoe County
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NEWS RELEASE
INNISFIL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
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Today, the Innisfil Community Foundation announced that it has awarded $75,000 in grants to five local charities serving vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are part of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), funded by the Government of Canada.

The ECSF is a $350 million fund that was implemented with Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and United Way Centraide Canada, in partnership with local foundations across the country. Its goal is to provide support to charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable Canadians. 

“Local charities have done an incredible job of pivoting and rising to the challenges presented by COVID-19. This funding will help bolster the important work being done in our community, and will help expand programs and services as we continue to navigate the impact of the pandemic,” says Chair of the Innisfil Community Foundation Board of Directors, Sandra Rizzardo. “We’re grateful to the Government of Canada for recognizing the value in facilitating this funding opportunity at the local level, through community foundations like ours.”

The ECSF funded five key projects in Innisfil:

Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe County –  “Expanding Mental Health Peer Support Services in Innisfil” 

This project will expand the availability of mental health peer support services to Innisfil residents. "CMHA is thankful for the support of the Innisfil Community Foundation through the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund,” states CMHA Simcoe County CEO, Dr. Valerie Grdisa. “This investment will help us expand the availability of peer support services to Innisfil residents – a service that is critically important as we navigate the mental health impact of COVID-19 on our community.”

Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County – “Remote Access to Counselling & Wellness Programming”

This accessible program gives Innisfil residents easy access to professional counselling and wellness programs at no cost to them, through telephone and online delivery services. “Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County (CFSSC) appreciates the support of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund,” says CFSSC Executive Director Michelle Bergin. “These funds will ensure our Remote Access to Counselling  & Wellness Programming will continue to provide essential mental health services to the residents of Innisfil. We would also like to thank the role taken by the Innisfil Community Foundation in deploying these national grants to the local level.”

Innisfil Community Church – “Community Re-Integration and Recovery Program”

Funds granted to support this program help provide outdoor space for community groups to meet in a safe environment. “We believe the physical and mental health of our community and the local economic recovery will be more rapid if pre-existing support groups can get back up and running in a safe environment,” says Innisfil Community Church Pastor Howard Courtney. “We are grateful for this opportunity to help our community through the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund and the Innisfil Community Foundation.”

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario – “The Safe @ Home Project”

This project will help overcome deliver essential services and support to Innisfil residents with spinal cord injuries. "Spinal Cord Injury Ontario is grateful to the Innisfil Community Foundation and the Government of Canada's Emergency Community Support Fund for their generous contribution to The Safe@Home Project - Innisfil," says Spinal Cord Injury Ontario CEO Dr. Stuart Howe. "This timely and vital support assists us in overcoming the barriers COVID-19 has created. Together we are making certain that people with spinal cord injury in Innisfil remain safe and connected at a critical time in their lives."

YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – “Inspire Youth / Connecting with Your Community”

This project will provide support for the youth in our community as we navigate through the effects of this pandemic. “We are appreciative of the financial support of the Innisfil Community Foundation and the Government of Canada's Emergency Community Support Fund,” says YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka Regional General Manager, Ryan Purdy.  “This grant will allow us to deliver on our commitment to inspiring youth to reach their full potential in new and innovative ways.”

The Innisfil Community Foundation received more requests than could be funded through the ECSF, but there was one additional project that the Board of Directors could not ignore. The Friendship Circle, a new program to assist people living with physical and intellectual disabilities, also received a grant from a different funding source. “Our program model encourages the development of real friendships, through one-on-one and meaningful relationships. This grant allows us to make better connections with other community partners resulting in bridging many efforts. We are excited to serve those in our community living with special needs,” says Jennifer Hay, leader of The Friendship Circle Program.

Today’s grant announcement is the latest achievement for the newly formed Innisfil Community Foundation. Since March 2020, Innisfil Community Foundation has approved 17 grant applications, granting a total of $129,575 in emergency funding to charities serving the Innisfil community. To learn more about grants made to the community so far this year, visit: https://innisfilcommunityfoundation.ca/grant-recipients/.

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