October 3, 2023

United Way of Bruce Grey funds 8 community service organizations through the Community Services Recovery Fund

United Way of Bruce Grey is proud to have worked with United Way Centraide Canada as part of the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and Registered Charities located in Canada.

The United Way of Bruce Grey and the Grey Bruce Community Foundation will announce the grants’ results at the Wiarton Propeller Club on October 4^th at 11 am. All are welcome.

 The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what Community Service Organizations need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time investment of $400 million to help Community Service Organizations (charities, non-profits, Indigenous governing bodies) adapt, modernize, and be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility, and sustainability of the community services that they are providing through the pandemic recovery and beyond. The following projects are being supported in Bruce Grey:

$99 360 was invested to fund Safe n’ Sound to conduct a feasibility study that would research and review overnight drop in spaces in Owen Sound, a service need identified within the agency’s current mission statement. These findings, which will include feedback from participants, comparisons to existing models and budget projections, will guide Safe n’ Sounds strategic plan.

$90 809.7 was invested to fund Bluewater Education Foundation to develop site-specific, indigenous land-use based educational programs, delivered throughout Grey/Bruce to children, youth, and adults including the students of the BWDSB. This project will allow us to deliver on our vision of providing immersive experiences in nature and encouraging personal commitment to environmentally sustainable actions in the communities we serve, growing a stronger connection to the land throughout the region.

$86 948 was invested to fund Canadian Mental Health Association to take advantage of all the new ways people are connecting with services. Taking our messaging and programs online will allow us to increase our capacity to reach as many people as possible.

$69 744 was invested to fund South East Grey Coummunity Health Centre to develop new pathways to essential services (health,housing,food,employment) by ensuring equal access for two of our most vulnerable populations: our Mennonite Community and those living with mental health &substance use issues. This will be accomplished through ongoing collaboration with the SOS Team,offering Mental Health First Aid to community volunteers/champions and 1:1/group engagement sessions with our Mennonite population.

$38 893.31 was invested to fund REACH to support youth and adults with disabilities reconnect with community and skill development for staff to assist participant mental health and wellness. Expanding facilitated small group contextual social learning opportunities by utilizing existing partnerships and supporting staff’s ability to address participant mental health barriers and the resulting behaviours profoundly impacting developmental sector as a result of COVID.

$25 760 was invested to fund Hope Haven Centre to support those experiencing a substantial increase in mental health concerns, including reported poor mental health and increased stress. Many individuals with mental illness report disruptions in mental health services that they had accessed prior to the pandemic. Equine Facilitated Wellness activities incorporate horses experientially for healing, personal growth & development and learning.

$25 142 was invested to fund Southampton Arts to procure a promotional bike, equip it with art supplies and develop mobile, creative activities. The project will allow Southampton Arts to re-connect, re-engage and re-inspire people of all ages, demographics and abilities, taking our mission directly into the community we serve.

$13 188.21 was invested to fund The Meeting Place to support Our ‘Pathways to Food Security’ project which builds on a multi-faceted, service delivery approach to increasing food security, adding a Learning Garden (with a informative blog) and a Food Rescue program. Expanding this multi-faceted approach, as a Good Food Organization member, will help ensure our organization has sound strategies to help reduce vulnerability to sufficient food access.