Five local programs are benefitting from United Way Perth-Huron New Initiative Grants.
A total of over $50,000 in funding is being handed out through this year’s grants which support new approaches and innovations in community services across the region.
The funding can be used for things like testing and evaluating new models of service, assisting with the pilot of new programs, and supporting collaborative partnerships.
This year’s recipients:
Food Insecurity Initiative (CMHA Huron Perth). The CMHA aims to work with small businesses across Perth-Huron to provide hot meals to vulnerable individuals and families for free through tickets provided at the Heart to Home Shelter (Goderich), Connection Centres (Stratford, Listowel, Exeter and Wingham) and other service agencies across Perth-Huron. This initiative could provide roughly 40 meals per month or 10 meals per weekend when other services and food banks are not available.
Rapid Response Fund (Huron Perth Children’s Aid Society). The cost of purchasing external or fee-for-service assessments, counselling, and other interventions for local children and youth can be prohibitive since most organizations do not receive funding to provide access. This program would ensure that in times of crisis children and youth in Perth-Huron have access to quality, person-centered care; enhancing the capacity of the family system, service providers, and the community to support children and youth.
Two Row Now – Indigenous-led Community Building – Huron Perth (c/o Huron Perth Public Health). Through a working group including local Indigenous educators, community connectors and developers, and student support workers, funding will help with planning and implementation of Indigenous-led cultural awareness and social connectedness events and activities for Indigenous children and youth and their families. The goal is to help create a sense of belonging and reduce isolation felt by Indigenous children and youth in Perth-Huron.
Vanastra Access Centre (c/o Municipality of Huron East). The Vanastra Access Centre will offer space for human service agencies to connect with residents in the place they live as well as computer access for meetings with service providers if reliable internet or lack of a device is a barrier. The Access Centre may also provide a central area for information such as ride sharing, employment opportunities, educational access and other village events.
What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing (Rural Response for Healthy Children).Based on the book of the same name, this facilitated book study program aims to engage professionals who work with children and parents to look differently at the challenges children face and learn new approaches in a safe, supportive space with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of vulnerable children.
