2021 Booster Grants help three urgently needed programs in Dufferin County
October 20, 2021… Today three non-profit charities received cheques for $1,500 from the Dufferin Community Foundation to fund programs that have a high impact on families in Dufferin County. The Booster Grants program, now in its fourth year, provides an injection of funds into existing projects that have proven to be successful with clients, or new projects that show best practices in the field.
Each Booster Grant is sponsored by local business people, who generously contribute the full amount of the grant. The following are the programs that will be getting a boost in 2021:
Hospice Dufferin – Bereavement 101
Sponsored by Lisa Leblanc, Lismar Financial
The Booster Grant will support the purchase of audio-visual equipment, allowing Hospice Dufferin to design a series of online or DVD sessions for people experiencing bereavement. The series will provide knowledge and skills around the grief journey, as well as strategies to help people cope. Hospice Dufferin will be able to support more clients through the Bereavement 101 program, reaching approximately 165 local clients each year. This is a pilot project that may be rolled out to 24 other hospices in the Central Region of Ontario. Read Story Here
From left to right
Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation
Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation
Maureen Riedler, Executive Director, Hospice Dufferin
Caledon Meals on Wheels – Subsidized Meal & Grocery Program
Sponsored by Jacelyn Alphonso and Monica Bond, Hometown Realty
The Subsidized Meal & Grocery Program helps seniors who face financial challenges receive hot and/or frozen prepared meals (or grocery items) at a partially or fully subsidized rate. Caledon Meals on Wheels will use the Booster Grant to support seniors and people with disabilities living in Orangeville and the surrounding areas of Dufferin County. Hot meals are provided by Lord Dufferin Centre and delivered by local volunteers. 100% of the grant money will go towards subsidizing food costs for these clients from now until March 31, 2022. Read Story Here
From left to right
Monica Bond, Hometown Realty (grant sponsor)
Jacelyn Alphonso, Hometown Realty (grant sponsor)
Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation
Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation
Christine Sevigny, Executive Director, Caledon Meals on Wheels
Easter Seals – Equipment Funding Program
Sponsored by Lara Gray, Edward Jones
The Booster Grant will fund in-home equipment for children and youth with physical disabilities in Dufferin County, who are isolated and underserved as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions.
There are currently 12 families in the area that have requested support. The equipment they need is for mobility and safety (to travel safely within their homes and communities), dignity (e.g. bath aides and commodes) and social inclusion (ramps and lifts). The lack of essential equipment in many of these homes has created real difficulties for families already under strain. Read Story Here
From left to right
Lara Gray, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones (grant sponsor)
Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation
Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation
Susan Smith, Senior Manager of Provincial Development, Easter Seals Ontario
“We are grateful to Hospice Dufferin, Easter Seals and Caledon Meals on Wheels for the crucial support that they provide to families, children and individuals in Dufferin County,” said Gord Gallaugher, President of Dufferin Community Foundation. “Any boost that they get from these grants is multiplied many times over in terms of the impact on people’s lives.”
Dufferin Community Foundation is also grateful to the 2021 Booster Grant sponsors. Without them, this program would not be possible.
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For more information, contact:
Michele Fisher
Executive Director
Dufferin Community Foundation
info@dufferincommunityfoundation.ca
