2022 Grants

$1,035,988.61 granted to 83 projects

Spring 2022 Community Grants

More than half a million dollars granted to 36 agencies

Arts & Culture

Cantabile Choirs – Children and Youth Programming, $4,500
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

Cantabile Choirs offers programs and services that prioritize accessible music education and artistic development for both children and youth. Through engaging weekly rehearsals, culturally-diverse concert programming, and community-based outreach opportunities, Cantabile’s Children and Youth Programs emphasize the importance of creating safe spaces to follow passions and explore adolescence in a fun and educational environment. This grant will ensure that this programming continues with sufficient resources to support online and in-person concert delivery and ensure that organizational resources are concentrated on delivering the highest artistic and educational programming possible.

Impact: 200 children and youth will participate in music educational programs that support their artistic development and provide opportunity to build social connection with peers.

Kingston School of Art – Emergency Operational Funding, $10,000
From the Ruth and Stu Barton Community Fund, the Community Fund, and the Neil Currie Davis Fund

The Kingston School of Art (KSOA) continues to run a full roster of classes and workshops to ensure that their instructors – artists within our community – continue to have employment opportunities despite the ongoing pandemic. This grant will support the longer-term sustainability of the KSOA, particularly as the community slowly returns to art programming. Funding will ensure resiliency for KSOA and the ability to offer affordable art education while supporting community artists.

Impact: More than 50 artists and their students will be able to continue with art classes and workshops. This will ultimately support the longer-term sustainability of the Kingston School of Art.

KPP Concerts – Spring Reverb, $6,000
Charitable Partner: The Joe Chithalen Memorial Musical Instrument Lending Library
From the Edward Ratcliffe Fund, the Mrs. Rupert Davies Fund, and the Arts & Culture Community Fund

Spring Reverb will be a showcase and industry event for local Kingston musicians. Running June 1st to 4th, each day will feature an Industry Panel Event, a Networking Mixer, and an Artist Showcase. The panels will feature industry leaders from record labels, management, and publicity companies, booking agencies, and others. This will be a free of charge opportunity for the public to learn more about various facets of the music industry. After the panels, there will be an evening concert featuring high-potential industry ready local artists. The objective of this event is to create a platform where high-potential local artists can be seen by Canadian music industry heavyweights, leading to new deals, signings, and opportunities for further growth.

Impact: 12 local musicians will have the opportunity to perform in front of industry professionals, potentially leading towards new opportunities.

Salon Theatre – The First Play of the City of Wine Cycle, $15,000
From the Ruth and Stu Barton Community Fund

Salon Theatre will produce the first play of City of Wine, HARMONIA, a story of liberation. It tells of forbidden love between a goddess and a mortal and, by implication supported by intentional casting, will confront racism on an elemental level. Outreach for both participants and audiences will include and accommodate people experiencing barriers to theatre activities, such as youth at risk or parents with young children. Preparations for the production, including but not limited to rehearsals, will include workshops in which experienced members of the ensemble will offer mentorships and training to others.

Impact: More than a thousand individuals, including youth at risk and youth theatre group members, will be able to participate and/or attend a local professional theatre production, providing a unique learning opportunity.

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston – Our Great Lakes: Celebrating our Freshwater Resource, $12,000
From the McArthur Connidis Arts Fund, the Dr. Patricia Minnes Fund Supporting People Living with Developmental Disabilities, the Douglas Branton Fell Memorial Fund, the Environmental Legacy Fund, and the Ruth and Stu Barton Environmental Fund

The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes aims to inspire an enduring connection to the maritime heritage of Kingston and the Great Lakes. The purpose of this program is to increase accessibility to the Museum’s educational programs and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Through planned workshops, Artist-Participants from the H’art Centre Studio will explore maritime heritage topics and develop an art installation at the Museum that celebrates the Great Lakes. In parallel, the public will be invited to engage with a modified program to encourage intergenerational conversations and connections with local waterways.

Impact: More than 500 individuals, including Artist-Participants from the H’art Centre, will participate in workshops and help create a public art installation, generating awareness for the protection of natural resources.

Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association, Kingston Branch – Opening Recital of the ORMTA 2022 Provincial Convention, $1,500
From the Mrs. Rupert Davies Fund

The Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA) has more than 1,300 registered music teachers and members. Their aim is to encourage and provide high caliber music education. For the first time in 30 years, Kingston has been chosen as the host of the three-day ORMTA 2022 Convention. This grant will help pay for the performers’ fees for a concert scheduled for Friday, July 22nd, 2022, at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (IBCPA), featuring two singers and three pianists.

Impact: This recital will allow 200 convention attendees, including local music teachers, to have an opportunity to explore their love of classical music.

Beyond Classrooms Kingston – Museum Inquiry Kits, $12,150
From the Cyril E. Wharrie and Evelyn D. Wharrie Fund, the Frank & Sarah Good Memorial Fund, and the Ruth and Stu Barton Community Fund

Beyond Classrooms Kingston moves teachers and students into community spaces to support students with the development of literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This project will create two Museum Inquiry Kits to bring heritage collections and expertise to enrich the lives of youth. Both kits will contain videos and activities centered around local heritage. Input from Indigenous community members and school board contacts will be sought to include Indigenous history. Students will create their own art representing what they have learned about Kingston’s heritage and add their own stories, empowering students to contribute their own narrative to Kingston’s heritage.

Impact: This kit will allow 480 students and their teachers to access videos and activities surrounding local heritage that contribute to youth resiliency and community wellbeing.

Children’s Mental Health

Kingston Community Health Centres – Serve and Return: The Power of a Parent’s Touch, $23,900
From the Sunnyside Children’s Fund, the Infant Mental Health: Building Resiliency for a Lifetime Fund, and the Laszlo Acs Memorial Fund

Kingston Community Health Centres will offer a Serve and Return (S&R) parenting program designed to nurture parent-child relationships, engage parents in self-care related to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), while strengthening social connections and building resilience through science and evidence-based practice. This program will employ a mix of coaching, discussion, modelling, and self-reflection, all with the aim to strengthen parental core capabilities. Through S&R, parents gain knowledge and tools that strengthen parenting mastery, build core capabilities, develop healthy coping strategies, and build resilience to prevent intergenerational ACEs.

Impact: 60 mothers will have the opportunity to strengthen parental capacity and establish stronger parent-infant bonds.

St. Lawrence Youth Association – Specialized Treatment Program for Youth with Concerning Sexual Behaviour, $25,000
From the Sunnyside Children’s Fund

St. Lawrence Youth Association (SLYA) will offer a continuation of a community based specialized treatment program for youth ages 12-24 years old, who demonstrate significant sexual behaviour problems, concerning sexualized behaviour, and/or who have offended sexually. The model offers the specialized knowledge, evidence-informed practice, and flexibility to provide a range of assessment and treatment services for youth displaying concerning behaviours. The program will enhance local mental health services, which currently have extensive waitlists, and reduce the risk of inappropriate sexualized behaviour and sexual assault. SLYA will offer a safe, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, non-judgmental approach to assist youth and their families with these sensitive topics.

Impact: 20 youth who demonstrate significant sexual behaviour problems and their families will receive treatment and support services.

BGC South East – Mental Health Boost for Kids, $28,320
From the Parker Family Fund, the Cameron and Laurie Thompson Fund, and the Sunnyside Children’s Fund

For over 28 years, BGC South East has provided recreational, educational, and experiential programming for children and youth. This project aims to implement a mental health focused program for children ages four to twelve during weekends. Programs will span a variety of activity types, from physical activity to arts and science, and explore diverse mental health topics.

Impact: For 24 weekends, children ages 4 to 12 will be able to engage in activities that explore diverse mental health topics and promote the development of physical health and social wellbeing.

Community Development

Loving Spoonful – Community Harvest Garden, Central Kingston, $15,000
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

Loving Spoonful has recently taken over the administration of the long-running grassroots project Community Harvest (CH) Kingston. The CH Garden engages dozens of community members and is a site for community building as well as knowledge and skill sharing related to agroecological food production. This year, Loving Spoonful will establish a second Community Harvest Garden and Market at the Calvin Park branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library. This site will maximize engagement and inclusion of newcomer communities, a demographic that experiences high rates of food insecurity but is currently underserved by food security programming.

Impact: 400 individuals, including newcomers, will be able to access locally produced foods and form strong ties within their community.

Kingston Historical Society – Murney Tower Museum Audio Tour, $9,680
From the Cyril E. Wharrie and Evelyn D. Wharrie Fund, the Michael Potter Memorial Fund, the William Cherry Fund, and the Anonymous #2 Endowment Fund

As a military fortification constructed in 1846, the Murney Tower Museum is physically inaccessible. The museum seeks to improve the community’s access to Kingston’s broader cultural and military heritage through the production and implementation of an audio tour. Having the audio tour available on the Kingston Historical Society website and inside the museum will foster community connections and ensure that the Murney Tower Museum remains accessible to all audiences. By working closely with a local audio production company, the Kingston Historical Society will create a tour that is professionally produced and narrated to ensure a high-quality, captivating experience for all audiences.

Impact: The development of an audio tour will increase accessibility and foster interest in history and heritage of Kingston for the 6,500 yearly visitors to the Murney Tower Museum.

The Mess Open Arts Studio – Safe and Efficient Operations, $10,104
From the Gordon Barr Ltd. Fund and the Edward Ratcliffe Fund

The Mess Open Arts Studio provides a safe and healthy space for artistic expression, with a focus on engagement and empowerment of community members. Many members share that visiting The Mess Open Arts Studio is the highlight of their week. This grant will support the operations of the Studio and allow them to continue to provide art supplies and food without cost and support community members to build a greater sense of self-acceptance, confidence, and inner dignity through art.

Impact: Up to 50 individuals per week will have access to a safe art space that empowers participants in building independence and resiliency.

Education & Literacy

Kingston Literacy & Skills – Literacy and Basic Skills Support for Tipi Moza, $17,988
From The Bronskill Group Fund and the Robert W. Clark Endowment Fund

Kingston Literacy & Skills (KL&S) has provided Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) training to Kingston and the surrounding areas for over four decades. Through this project, KL&S will provide targeted Literacy and Basic Skills training to residents of Tipi Moza Indigenous Transitional Housing. The training will include professional development and the application of Indigenous-focused learning strategies and materials. KL&S staff will equip a learning space and work onsite at Tipi Moza to deliver a weekly customized curriculum to adult residents based on Individual Learner Plans to support their employment and independence goals.

Impact: 19 to 25 Indigenous community members living in Transitional Housing will receive Literacy and Basic Skills training, supporting their goal of gaining employment and independence.

Loving Spoonful – GROWing Stronger: A GROW Project Initiative, $14,973
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund and the Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Home Children’s Endowment Fund

Loving Spoonful provides programs that impact food security, poverty, social inclusion, and community health across Kingston & Area. Their GROW Project aims to empower children to become leaders in building a strong, connected community surrounding good food by providing a series of seven curriculum-connected workshops for Grades 4 to 8, and curriculum extensions for kindergarten to Grade 3. This project will offer a full year of experiential learning opportunities that will help set the foundation for lifelong healthy behaviours. The activities may include preparing seeds balls with students for them to take home and providing garden vegetables to educate and empower students on the importance of good food for healthier, more connected communities.

Impact: 588 children will receive a full year of experiential learning opportunities that will empower them to become leaders in building a connected community surrounding healthy food.

Frontier College – Championing Literacy in Kingston, $15,000
From the Smart & Caring Community Fund, the Kingston Whig-Standard Literacy Endowment Fund, the Marion Meyer Opportunity Fund, the Elisabeth Heney Fund for Literacy, and the Robert W. Clark Endowment Fund

Frontier College works with volunteers and community partners to improve literacy among communities. This grant will allow Frontier College to provide literacy support to children and youth in low-income neighbourhoods in Kingston through individual and small group tutoring and after-school programs. Literacy support programs are particularly important now when many children and youth have experienced pandemic-related learning loss and need additional support to come up to grade level. As well, for children and youth who are struggling and have limited access to learning supports outside of school, these programs are critical for ensuring that they can build their skills and become more engaged with learning.

Impact: 80 children and youth living in low-income neighbourhoods will receive literacy and numeracy tutoring, to support skill development and build confidence.

Kingston Literacy & Skills – Literacy and Basic Skills Support Programming, $15,000
From the Richard Moorehouse Fund, the Elisabeth Heney Fund for Literacy, and the Larry Gibson Community Fund

Kingston Literacy & Skills (KL&S) offers free instruction in literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and pre-employment skills to adult learners seeking new employment, workforce retraining, further education, apprenticeship, and/or independence. Enrollment and engagement have been severely impacted by the pandemic, but a significant increase in enrollment over the next 12 months is expected as restrictions lift. This grant will allow for additional staff hours to provide training for new and returning learners seeking employment and workforce upgrades post-pandemic.

Impact: Up to 45 learners will receive free instruction in literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and pre-employment skills, to support their goal of seeking employment, education, and/or independence.

Book Club for Inmates – Building Bridges Through Books, $10,000
From the Terry Harris Endowment Fund and The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

Book Club for Inmates (BCFI) operate seven monthly book clubs with inmates and volunteers at Bath, Millhaven, Joyceville, and Collins Bay Institution. Typical themes include overcoming adversity, moral dilemmas, and the behaviour of specific characters. In addition, the Children of Inmates Reading Program (ChIRP) builds and enhances a healthier parent and child relationship, develops literacy and listening skills, increases vocabulary and attention spans for children while promoting a love of learning. Each month, the parent experiencing incarceration record themselves reading a book and send the recording with the book to their child. This grant will allow BCFI to purchase books and hire an administrator to run the ChIRP.

Impact: More than 70 individuals experiencing incarceration will receive approximately 1,500 books to promote the development of social skills and literacy. 30 children and their parents experiencing incarceration will have the opportunity to strengthen connection and develop a shared love of reading.

Wintergreen Studios – Nature-Based Virtual Learning Courses, $3,150
From the McArthur Connidis Arts Fund, the Cyril E. Wharrie and Evelyn D. Wharrie Fund, and the David C. Riley Fund

As an educational retreat centre Wintergreen Studios offers workshops and retreats that focus on the arts, environmental education, and sustainable living. Wintergreen Studios recently launched the Virtual Learning Centre, a platform designed to provide community members with engaging courses to help them pursue more creative, inspired, and sustainable ways of living. Through this project, Wintergreen Studios will create two nature-based online courses that will be offered free of charge in perpetuity. This initiative will not only allow Wintergreen Studios to continue providing high-quality, educational offerings to thousands of participants annually, but will also expand the reach to community members across the region and beyond.

Impact: More than a thousand participants will receive, in perpetuity, free high-quality, nature-based educational courses to help them pursue creative and sustainable ways of living.

Environment

Queen’s University Biological Station, Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre – Communicating Indigenous Land-Based Learning and STEM to a Broad Audience, $7,092
From the Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation Fund

The Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre provides opportunities for environmental outreach and education. The Centre will purchase new video and audio equipment that will enrich the quality and reach of programs such as QUILLS (Queen’s University Indigenous Land-based Learning STEM). Videos will include immersive 360-degree habitat videos, drone footage of local landscapes, passive recordings of wildlife in their natural environments, and outdoor interviews with scientists and local Indigenous knowledge keepers. These videos will deepen knowledge and foster interest in sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Impact: More than a thousand individuals will access video and audio interviews with scientists and knowledge keepers that will allow them to gain insight on Indigenous land-based practices.

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston – Indigenous-Environmental Inner Harbour Paddle Tour, $15,000
From the Sandiford Family Fund, McArthur Connidis Arts Fund, the Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation Fund, and the Ruth and Stu Barton Environmental Fund

The Marine Museum aims to preserve, research, and interpret the maritime history of Kingston and the Great Lakes. Through this project, the Marine Museum will provide immersive access to the heritage and environment of Kingston’s Inner Harbour, which is part of Kingston Fortifications National Historic and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Inner Harbour has a rich history of communities coming together and offers a unique ecosystem for cross-cultural environmental discussions on the impact of human activity. Participants will be invited to explore the area by canoe with an Indigenous guide who will share the cultural and environmental heritage of the area, to encourage cultural dialogue and environmental activism.

Impact: An Indigenous tour guide will lead participants through an excursion through Kingston’s Inner Harbour, allowing for increased conversation around a shared social issue – climate change and the protection of waterways.

Health & Social Services

Dress for Success Kingston – Suiting and Learning Programs and Professional Women’s Group Program, $15,000
From the Russell and Susan Park Memorial Fund and the Robert W. Clark Endowment Fund

Dress for Success Kingston empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and developmental tools to help women thrive in work and life. With the support of this grant, Dress for Success Kingston will be able to continue to provide clients who are actively trying to enter or re-enter the workforce with free professional attire and advice. This Fall, Dress for Success Kingston will facilitate an ongoing Professional Women’s Group with mentorship and monthly workshops. These workshops will be hosted and delivered in partnership with local facilitators and volunteers.

Impact: 420 women will receive professional attire and the opportunity to engage in free learning programs, supporting their goal of returning to or finding employment.

Lion Hearts Inc. – Dry Goods Storage for the Community Food Redistribution Warehouse, $10,000
From the Rose Family Fund, The Bronskill Group Fund, and The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

The Community Food Redistribution Warehouse (CFRW) provides space and infrastructure to collect and distribute large donations of healthy foods to local food-providing agencies, preventing waste and allowing for food providing agencies to better support the community. Through the purchase of pallet racking, the CFRW will be able to expand their services to receive large donations of dry goods and other items such as takeaway containers.

Impact: Food providing agencies will have a space to accept donations of consumable items that would otherwise be turned away, allowing for a more food secure community for up to 1,600 individuals.

Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac – Safety Planning Specialist and Community Support Worker, $15,000
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund and the Health & Social Services Community Fund

Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac is a community-based program that provides support for those affected by crime, accident, or tragedy. Through this program, Victim Services will hire a Safety Planning Specialist/Community Support Worker with expertise in safety planning and supporting the needs of those in rural or economically disadvantaged communities. This specialized worker will meet with community members and professionals to develop adaptable safety and service planning specific to each individual’s needs.

Impact: Hundreds of individuals in rural and economically challenged communities will be able to access safety planning services, allowing for more individuals to feel safe in their home and community.

Frontenac Council on Aging – Sunshine Call: Rebuilding Seniors’ Social Networks Project, $15,352
From the Seniors Community Grant Fund, the Richard Moorehouse Fund, and the Theda Anderson Fund

In response to the epidemic of loneliness among isolated seniors, the Frontenac Kingston Council on Aging developed the Sunshine Call Pilot project in 2020. This pilot project, partially funded by the Community Foundation, recruited volunteers to make daily check-in phone calls to seniors. Lessons learned from this pilot have informed the design of this subsequent project to organize coffee meet and greets in partnership with the Seniors Centre. Prior to the pandemic, this activity was popular with seniors and provided valued social connections. Building on this success, the Sunshine Call Project will host 12 get-togethers of call hosts with seniors to foster friendships among participants, thereby making the seniors less dependent on the call hosts.

Impact: 100 seniors will have the opportunity to decrease isolation and foster friendships by establishing new social networks.

Martha’s Table Community Program – Support for Takeout and Delivery Meals, $15,000
From the Bob & Margaret Fund and The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

With the continuation of the pandemic and the restrictions that it imposes and for the safety of program participants, volunteers, and staff, Martha’s Table will continue to offer takeout meals and delivered meals. To accomplish this objective, takeout containers are required to pack meals safely. Many of the individuals served by Martha’s Table experience challenges with housing, financial instability, mental health and substance use. Continuing to serve takeout and delivery meals will support individuals in accessing nutritious meals while keeping them safely distanced to minimize their risk of transmitting COVID-19.

Impact: 350 individuals will be able to receive meals in a safe manner, supporting food security within our community.

Southern Frontenac Community Services Corporation – Replacing the Kitchen Stove, $8,635
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

The Southern Frontenac Community Services Corporation prepares 15,000 meals annually through their Meals on Wheels, Seniors & Law Enforcement, Diner’s Clubs, Adult Day Program, and other meal programs. With their current stove no longer properly functioning, a new stove and installation, identical to the existing one, will ensure that Southern Frontenac Community Services Corporation can continue preparing, serving, and delivering these essential meals to seniors and older adults.

Impact: More than 15,000 meals will be served to 425 seniors and adults to increase food security within the rural community.

Alzheimer Society Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington – In Home Recreational Therapy, $25,000
From the Helping Hands for those with Disabilities Fund

The Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington will offer in-home recreational services to clients in the Kingston and Frontenac community by hiring a full-time recreational therapist to assist clients with one-on-one in-home recreational therapy. A past pilot project indicated that these one-on-one sessions provided creative outlets that stimulated cognitive abilities, provided meaningful opportunities for social inclusion, and improved overall well-being. The goal is to focus on meeting individuals where they are at and engaging in one-on-one programs and activities that they will enjoy.

Impact: 50 individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will receive one-on-one in-home recreational therapy, providing meaningful opportunities for decreasing isolation and improving wellbeing.

Autism Ontario – Promising Young Cooks Program, $18,650
From the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund and the Helping Hands for those with Disabilities Fund

Autism Ontario’s Promising Young Cooks Program (PYCP) will include virtual cooking sessions and address food security for children and youth living with autism. The goal is to teach children cooking skills, which will simultaneously help refine their motor and communication skills. PYCP will be delivered virtually so that families have the flexibility to prepare the meals at their preferred dinner time. The pre-recorded video instructions will reduce interruptions in daily routines and prevent over-stimulation from virtual calls. The program will offer two meal kits per month that will serve four individuals each.

Impact: 180 children living with autism will participate in a cooking program that promotes food security and fosters a sense of belonging.

Hospice Kingston – Art Therapy Program, $3,312
From The Henry Fund and the L. Carolyn Dundas Fund in Support of Mental Health

Hospice Kingston’s Art Therapy program will combine traditional psychotherapy and creative expression through art, music, and writing. For individuals who do not have the words to express how they feel, Art Therapy can provide an alternative to traditional talk therapies. Art and creative expression give voice to the processing of difficult experiences whilst finding new perspectives and developing emotional strength to move forward in a positive and healthy manner. The therapeutic interventions for the Art Therapy Program will be designed to support community members through the experience of living with a life-limiting illness and loss by providing a forum to express feelings, thoughts, and reflections.

Impact: 30 to 50 individuals diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and their families will participate in expressive art therapy groups, allowing for a safe space for the expression of grief and an exploration of feelings.

Kingston Community Health Centres – Seniors Connect with Tech, $17,300
From the K-Town Tri Legacy Fund, the David Middleton North End Development Fund, and the Theda Anderson Fund

Due to the pandemic, many seniors’ programming has been greatly reduced, with some programs going virtual. This has left behind the seniors who do not have access to devices and/or the internet. The key objective of this project is to reduce social isolation among at risk seniors living on a low income in Kingston. The program will provide seniors with access to a device on a loan basis, education on using the device, and facilitate a low-cost online provider. Throughout the project a technology mentor will facilitate a senior friendly transition to using online programs and services by supporting the senior through the learning curve needed to operate in an online environment confidently and safely.

Impact: Up to 30 seniors will receive support, education, and mentoring with technology, allowing for social connection and access to accessible online programming.

Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre – Wildlife Stewardship Course: Training our Community to Care for Wildlife, $8,417
From the Marion Meyer Opportunity Fund

Each year, Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre (SPWC) sees many patients admitted by members of the community who find an animal in distress while working. This has included officers finding a deer on the highway, prison guards finding birds in barbed wire, and contractors finding bats out of hibernation in a home. While many individuals contact SPWC for support, basic training is needed for professionals to triage situations and act quickly to get an animal out of distress. This grant will allow the creation of an online course on Wildlife Stewardship for Professionals in Kingston and the surrounding region. Course topics will include signs of an animal in distress, how to safely bring wildlife in need to SPWC, and how to prevent injuries to wildlife in various work settings.

Impact: Individuals who encounter wildlife through their work will be able to receive training to support animals experiencing distress, mitigating preventable harm for wildlife in the community.

Children, Youth & Family Services Collaboration – Relationship Building & Coordination, $12,500
Charitable Partner: Maltby Centre
From the Sunnyside Children’s Fund

This funding will support the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Children Youth and Family Services Collaborative (CYFSC). CYFSC is a voluntary association of approximately 50 organizations responsible for the provision of services and supports to children, youth and their families and facilitates a monthly forum for information exchange, coordinated service planning, collective impact, training, and knowledge sharing and exchange. The mission of the Collaborative is to work together to plan and promote a seamless network of responsive services and supports for children, youth, and families and to ensure all individuals feel included and supported regardless of age, background, ethnicity, or circumstances.

Impact: This association of 50 organizations support the facilitation of information exchanged and integrated service planning of agencies serving children, youth, and families. Organizations will better able to coordinate their services, ultimately benefiting more than 50,000 children.

The Kidney Foundation – Short Term Financial Assistance Program, $850
From an Anonymous Donor

The Kidney Foundation is an organization committed to eliminating the burden of kidney disease through research, education, and advocacy. This program provides funding to kidney patients to offset the costs of living with kidney disease and dialysis treatment in a hospital or clinic setting, such as covering transportation costs to and from treatment and paying for medication, groceries, and blood pressure machines. This financial assistance will be provided to patients when they have exhausted all other options. The program helps patients get through the financial struggles that often come when one requires dialysis treatment 3-4 times per week and when work life becomes disrupted.

Impact: 25 individuals living with kidney disease will receive emergency financial assistance.

Heritage Preservation

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church – Phase 2 of Flooring Historic Manse to Allow Expansion of Ryandale Transition House, $9,000
From the Marguerite Bourgeoys Housing Fund and The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has been leased at cost to Ryandale Transitional Housing as a stage two transitional house for men. This grant will allow St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to professionally install vinyl plank flooring throughout the second floor of the two-story historically designated church manse building. The new flooring will provide an updated and dignified living space for the residents as they transition towards self-sustaining living within the community.

Impact: 7 residents of Ryandale Transitional Housing will be able to receive a safe and dignified living space, supporting their transition towards independence and self-sufficiency.

The Corporation of Loyalist Township – Legacies of Loyalist, $4,325
From the Chown Fund and the Douglas Branton Fell Memorial Fund

The Legacies of Loyalist project will chronicle the unique stories of six residents of Loyalist Township, who have lived through significant changes throughout the decades. Interviewees will share their personal stories through audio and video recordings about their lives growing up in a rural community in the past. The recordings will be made available for public enjoyment through copies at the local library, on the Loyalist Township website, social media channels, and at a community reception.

Impact: The audio and video recordings of 6 long term residents of Loyalist Township will allow for the preservation and reflection of local experiences.

Recreation

Extend-A-Family Kingston – Children’s Program and Summer Camp Pandemic Recovery, $15,000
From the Dr. Patricia Minnes Fund Supporting People Living with Developmental Disabilities, the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund, and the Marion and John Dunn Fund

Extend-A-Family Kingston (EAFK) Children’s Program serves children with physical, developmental disabilities, and/or autism spectrum disorder. Many individuals supported have exceptional behavioural, cognitive, sensory, and/or medical needs which cannot be accommodated through other programs. This grant will help EAFK adapt their summer camp and school year program and provide in-person and virtual options focused on developing life skills, fitness, physical and mental wellness, and social learning. Children attending the program will create memories that last a lifetime and their families will receive respite support to attend to other demands in their life.

Impact: 40 children living with disabilities will receive social recreational learning opportunities, leading to increased community connection, engagement, and relationship building skills.

Youth

Youth Diversion Program – Community Engagement Support Program, $18,417
From the Rose Family Fund, the Young Adults Mental Health Fund, and the Sunnyside Children’s Fund

The Youth Diversion Program provides prevention, intervention, and educational services to support youth in overcoming challenges. In partnership with the Limestone District School Board (LDSB), this project will address the need to support students not attending school due to pandemic-related mental health issues and/or at risk of being charged under the Education Act for not attending school. Youth Diversion will create a point of contact for LDSB staff to send referrals and support 50 youth by providing access to mental health, life skills, and outreach services to ultimately support youth in returning to school.

Impact: 50 youth experiencing barriers that impact their ability to return to school will have access to mental health, life skills, and outreach services to support school engagement.

Kingston Community Health Centres, Pathways to Education – Program Connector, $15,000
From the Jim & Julie Parker Fund, The Tackaberry Heating Supplies Fund, The Bronskill Group Fund, and the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund

Pathways to Education supports the success of youth in the community. During the pandemic, two programs, Pathways CHEF and Outdoor Academy launched to tremendous success. The Pathways CHEF program delivers food kits to students and facilitates a virtual cooking session, where students develop their cooking skills and learn about healthy eating, budgeting, and self-care. The Outdoor Academic program provides land-based, experiential learning opportunities for students guided by Indigenous knowledge keepers to increase physical literacy and address reconciliation by sharing Indigenous teachings. Through this grant, a Program Connector will be hired to expand these programs and reach more youth in the community.

Impact: 75 students will receive learning opportunities to explore healthy eating, budgeting, and physical literacy.

Food Sharing Project – Adding Prepared Foods to School Meal Programs, A Pilot Project, $10,212
From the Wilson Family Fund, the Cameron and Laurie Thompson Fund, and the Bob & Margaret Fund

The Food Sharing Project has been providing nutritious foods to students since 1985. This pilot project will include the addition of healthy packaged foods delivered to schools between April and June 2022. School Nutrition Program Coordinators often do not have time to prepare healthy breakfasts, lunches, or snacks, or are restricted from preparing foods due to health and safety protocols and are reliant on pre-packaged, individually portioned items provided by The Food Sharing Project. The packaged food will be prepared by Great Lakes Kitchen, which provides paid employment for adults living with mental health disorders. The results of this pilot project will be evaluated for feasibility and possible expansion.

Impact: 3,700 healthy meals will be delivered to 400 children to increase food security within our community.

YMCA of Eastern Ontario – Subsidized Program Access, $10,000
From the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund

YMCA of Eastern Ontario strives to help create an inclusive community where all have equal access to health and recreational programming contributing to better physical and mental health. The Subsidized Access Program covers participation with all YMCA camp programs including the Work Hard Eat Well program, a food and physical literacy program at Rideau Heights Community Centre and the Y Penguins Program for children living with physical disabilities. All children and youth, regardless of age, race, religion, gender, ability, or economic circumstance may register without fear of not being able to pay full or partial fees.

Impact: Hundreds of children and youth will received subsidized YMCA membership, ensuring financial cost is not a barrier to participating in programs that promote physical activity.

Fall 2022 Community Grants

Over $500,000 to be granted to 42 community initiatives by local charities

Arts & Culture

Kingston Symphony Association – Up Close & Classical, $7,500
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

Following the livestreams of the Kingston Symphony’s Education Partnership in March 2022, Kingston Symphony Association provided participating classes with an opportunity to have a musician from their orchestra visit the students virtually. It is their intention to formalize this program and expand the reach of these visits to connect with young people all through our community, whether that is in schools or through other points of contact such as local youth organizations. Kingston Symphony Association will look at presenting these sessions both virtually and in person. Their new program will also tie into the creation of the second season of their digital program for children, Harmon in Space. Over the past year or so, Harmon in Space became a hit with teachers and children online. They will develop a targeted marketing plan to both promote this series and their musician visits. With this new approach, they plan to host 100 visits.

Impact: 3,200 Individuals, 3,100 Youth

The Joe Chithalen Memorial Musical Instrument Library – Operational Grant Request, $10,000

From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund, and the Robert and Judith Mackenzie Fund

The M.I.L.L.’s financial sustainability is an annual concern. COVID has negatively impacted their financial situation. Their main fundraising event, Homegrown, was cancelled for 2 years, and returned on a much smaller scale in 2022. M.I.L.L are unsure as to what the continued impact will be in future years. This grant will support operations and on-going programs.

Impact: 7 Individuals

Cantabile Choirs – Guest Artist Residency, $7,500
From Community Fund, and the Robert and Judith Mackenzie Fund

Cantabile has become one of the largest choral organizations in the country and has a large footprint on the artistic and cultural fabric of the Kingston/Katarokwi music scene. This project will promote the artistic, musical, and social development of Cantabile Choirs members and audience by granting access to an internationally recognized Black conductor and offers their platform for the creative expression of historically underrepresented voices in the classical music community.

Impact: 850 Individuals, 100 Youth

Kingston WritersFest – Authors4Seniors Kingston WritersFest Pilot Project, $4,170
From Community Fund, and McArthur Connidis Arts Fund

Kingston WritersFest wishes to launch a pilot project – Authors4Seniors, which would select, invite, and confirm three established Canadian writers of fiction or non-fiction, with new or recent books to send into six Kingston area retirement and senior’s residences to present, read to, and converse informally with residents at events FREE to residents and their invited guests (family and friends).

Impact: 300 Individuals

Kingston School of Dance – Operational Funding for the Kingston School of Dance, $11,476
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

There are three main objectives which Kingston School of Dance intends to address with the funds from the Community Foundation Grant. First, stabilization and sustainability of their employees and admin by helping provide a living wage and sustainability by bringing current pay rates up to be competitive within the market for key operational roles. Finally, capacity building by addressing additional fees for professional service, professional development for staff and/or board as well as, their need for additional space and subsidized tuition opportunities for families in need.

Impact: 14 Individuals, 225 Youth

Kingston School of Dance – Equipment Support for KSD, $6,200
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

In upgrading the Kingston School of Dance’s administration, sound, and equipment needs, the school will be able to perform at a higher level on all scales. By upgrading the school, the school will be equipped for at least another 15-year period of work in YGK. With the funding, KSD will be able to achieve its full potential in many aspects, including efficiency, safety, and capacity building. Kingston School of Dance plans to invite artists from all over Canada and beyond to train, teach, and experience movement arts.

Impact: 14 Individuals, 300 Youth

Kingston School of Art – Arts in Education, $11,632
From The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund

Arts in Education is a proposed partnership program between Kingston School of Art and the Limestone District School Board and will provide arts-based training and peer-to-peer support for teachers.

Arts in Education aims to build student and staff capacity and deepen current understanding of how to incorporate the creative process while creating and presenting artworks; to encourage and apply an equity/social justice lens to every facet of the project; to increase engagement of students facing systemic barriers to arts participation; to expose both teachers and students to artists in a meaningful manner; to share and learn about essential elements and principles in the Visual Arts Strand of the Ontario Curriculum.

Impact: 1,000 Individuals, 985 Youth

Kingston Community Health Centres – Serve and Return: The Power of a Parent’s Touch, $5,450.20
From the Getting Started: Supporting Early Childhood Development Fund

The Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute Lullaby Project will provide expectant parents the opportunity to make music & sing a unique and tailored lullaby to their infant. Music and singing soothes, reduces stress, builds self-esteem, enhances emotional regulation, increases communication & expresses love. It is an inter-generational gift. After the birth of their infant, participants will be invited to attend our second program entry point, called Serve and Return (S&R): The Power of a Parent’s Touch.

Impact: 320 Individuals, 50 Youth

Children’s Mental Health

St. Lawrence Youth Association – Specialized Treatment Program (STP) for Youth with Concerning Sexual Behaviour, $25,000
From the Woodbury Entreprises We Care Charitable Youth Fund, The Henry Fund, Sunnyside Children’s Fund, Youth Community Fund, and the Smart and Caring Community Fund

St. Lawrence Youth Association (SLYA) will offer a community-based specialized treatment program for youth ages 12-24 years who demonstrate sexualized behaviour challenges. Some sexualized behaviours that will be treated in this program include unwanted touching, verbal threats, indecent exposure, voyeurism, threats or harassment, promiscuity/high risk sexual behaviours, and issues related to Human Trafficking. The STP program will function through a highly specialized multi-disciplinary team, including graduate-level Clinical Social Workers, a forensic Psychologist, and a clinically supervised Counsellor, who is trained in gold-standard sexualized behaviour treatment modalities. Our treatment approach follows a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) model and includes some aspects of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Relapse Prevention strategies, based on the literature.  

Impact: 25 Individuals, 20 Youth

Start2Finish Canada – R&R Club+, $15,000
From the Aaron and Norma Palmer Endowment Fund

The R&R Club+ will address the urgent need for mental health/learning support for children in Kingston’s low-income/equity-seeking communities, especially coming out of COVID-19. The program will directly impact 120 children in grades 1-6 from 3 underserved schools we work with (Molly Brant, John Grave Simcoe, Polson Park), utilizing a trauma-informed approach that will improve physical, mental, social-emotional, and academic well-being.

Impact: 120 Youth

Community Development

Kingston Employment and Youth Services Inc. – New Horizon’s Peer Mentoring Newcomer Youth Group, $16,000
From The Bill and Nancy Gray Fund, and the Regina Rosen Fund

Kingston Employment and Youth Services Inc. will use these funds to sustain and expand programming for the whole youth group for the New Horizons Newcomer Youth Peer Mentoring Group. These funds will sustain the weekly programming of the New Horizons Newcomer Youth Peer Mentoring Group. CFKA funds also support a monthly women’s group. New Horizons serves youth aged 18-30, although we can make exceptions for youth aged 16-17. Kingston Employment and Youth Services Inc. will also use CFKA funds to host leadership development opportunities open to all New Horizons newcomer and refugee youth.

Impact: 120 Individuals, 20 Youth

The Friends of The Spire – The Spire Transformation Project, $16,000
From the Valerie Robertson Women in Theatre Fund, The Audrey and Peter Scholes Memorial Fund, the Smart and Caring Community Fund

The Spire Transformation Project initiative has received funding for the hiring of a person with project management and technical skills to oversee a large-scale technology solution installation, which will convert space to a fully-fledged performing arts facility. The project includes evaluation, sourcing, installation of audio, lighting, projection, and video streaming capability needed to transform space at The Spire to that of a professionally equipped, mid-size performance hall venue catering to diverse community arts and organization needs including rehearsal, performing, recording, and streaming capability.

Impact: 10,000 Individuals, 4,000 Youth

Loving Spoonful – Community Harvest Kingston, $25,000
From the Smart and Caring Community Fund

Food produced in the CH Gardens is distributed through the following channels:

1) Community Harvest Markets (affordable access): Tuesdays at Kingston Community Health Centre in Rideau Heights, and Thursdays at Calvin Park Branch Library.

 2) Loving Spoonful’s Local Food Market Stands (no-cost access): Currently, we operate ten Local Food Market Stands, located within various social service agencies across Kingston. 

3) Loving Spoonful’s Community Kitchens programs: Our various Community Kitchens programs use our produce to prepare fresh, seasonal meals. Participants cook and eat together and are invited to take excess produce home with them for cooking throughout the week.

4) Shared amongst CH volunteers.

Impact: 1,400 Individuals, 500 Youth

Loving Spoonful – Gleaning and Grow A Row, $16,000
From the Community Fund, and the Aaron and Norma Palmer Endowment Fund

The funding received will be used to support the Gleaning and Grow a Row Facilitator staff position. Historically, this role has been combined with the Local Food Access Coordinator position. However, due to a significant increase in the volume of local food being donated by local home gardeners, community gardeners, and local farmers in recent years, Loving Spoonful are seeking to increase the efficiency of our operations by creating a new, separate part-time staff position to coordinate these long-standing and successful programs.

Impact: 2,000 individuals, 500 Youth

The Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada – The Salvation Army Rideau Heights Community Support Services, $25,000

From the Aaron and Norma Palmer Endowment Fund, and the Tragically Hip Community Fund

The Salvation Army Rideau Heights Community Support Services are planning to start up a Newcomers, community Group for immigrants and refugees in our community. They will include a couple of mornings a week for a Caregiver and Tots connect, but the Primary would be “Newcomer Fridays” where from 9:00 am to 9:00pm they will host Newcomers in the community connecting them with each other, with agencies, creating friendship and mentorship opportunities and building relationships with Newcomers and their families and connecting through conversation, meals, sports. Relationship and Community building, including advocacy for and empowerment of newcomers through sharing information and life with people on a regular basis providing a safe fun space to connect to and with the various services and supports available as well as walking alongside our neighbours while building relationships and ultimately raising up future community leaders.

Impact: 500 Individuals, 250 Youth

Education & Literacy

Kingston Community Health Centres – GRAD Connector at Pathways to Education, $15,000
From the Alcan Endowment Fund

Pathways to Education Kingston is a community program designed to empower North-Kingston Youth with the tools to succeed in school, work, and life. Their dynamic team works to support 265 high school students by using the Pathways Canada methodology of: Financial support (covered by Pathways Canada and includes Grocery Store gift cards), Tutoring (after school three days a week), Mentoring, and Advocacy. The program was established in 2010, following a needs-based assessment that noted high school graduation rates in our neighbourhood to be 15% lower than the rest of the city. It is common for the students to face tremendous barriers to learning, many of which are directly related to their environment, support system, and the socioeconomic circumstances of their families. Their goal is to establish a network of caring, consistent, and unconditionally supportive adults to help support them through navigating high school and their next steps.

Impact: 265 Individuals and Youth

Learning Disabilities Association of Kingston – Supporting Families and Children with Learning Disabilities in the Kingston Area, $14,350
From the Community Fund

The Learning Disabilities Association of Kingston is a registered charity that supports local individuals and families living with learning disabilities, educators, and professionals. They do this by undertaking core activities such as:

• Gathering, assessing, and disseminating information on the latest developments in LD Issues
• Sharing information via social media postings, their website (ldakingston.com), free webinars, workshops, and their annual Speak Up for Ability Forum.
• Free workshops on strategies for helping children learn at home.
• Consultations with parents and care givers about their children’s learning issues and options to address those issues, both on an individual and education system level.
• Referrals to other community service providers.
• Tools to help families advocate for their children within educational and social services structures.
• Plain language information on the rights and responsibilities of school boards when it comes to educating students who have learning disabilities.
• They advocate for our community through participation in other organizations such as the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, the International Dyslexia Association, the Special Education Advisory Committee of the Limestone District School Board, and they collaborate with other not-for-profit service providers in the Kingston area.
• Offer summer camps, robots and reading workshops, and literacy tutoring as funding permits

Impact: 500 Individuals, 300 Youth

Queen’s University – QUILLS (Queen’s University Indigenous Land-Based Learning STEM) Program at Elbow Lake, $17,150
From the Aaron and Norma Palmer Endowment Fund

Over the past two years Queen’s University have developed a new educational program that, working with local Knowledge Keepers, brings Indigenous knowledge to the forefront, marrying this to western science within the Ontario curriculum. They refer to this new program as QUILLS (Queen’s University Indigenous Land-Based Learning STEM). Lesson plans for Grades 7 through 10 focus on some of the most pressing environmental issues, using Indigenous perspective to help guide us in finding solutions. The received funds will apply towards honoraria for Indigenous Knowledge Keepers as they share their teachings and give guidance in our professional development workshops. Transportation costs continue to increase, and bus subsidies for school groups reduce economic barriers. Funding will also allow them to hire a much-needed part-time educator to assist with delivering the in-person Indigenous programming to teachers and students.

Impact: 800 Individuals, 750 Youth

Let’s Talk Science – Engaging Kingston and Area Youth with STEM Learning , $1,414.43
From the Kingston Youth Science and Technology Fund

This project will enhance Let’s Talk Science’s (LTS’s) science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs in Kingston, expanding the site’s reach and scope, to support and deliver more STEM-learning opportunities for youth. LTS Outreach in Kingston connects preschool to high school youth and educators with outstanding volunteers who lead meaningful hands-on/minds-on STEM learning in schools and community settings. Through LTS Outreach at Queens University, LTS connects youth and volunteer role models to inspire the next generation of creative, critical thinkers. LTS Outreach volunteers acts as mentors, motivating and inspiring youth to explore STEM in everyday life, build critical STEM skills and keep their options open by pursuing STEM studies.

Impact: 5000 Individuals and Youth

Environment

Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre – Love Wildlife Education Program Expansion, $6,392.00
From the Bill and Gladys Kelly Community Fund, the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund, and the Sandiford Family Fund

With support of the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre will offer:

1. Virtual presentations linked to the Ontario curriculum, namely in science and social studies.
2. Create a new on-demand presentation for Grade 6-8 on wildlife of Turtle Island in partnership with Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ).
3. Deliver a new in-person program for Grade 1-3 at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area in partnership with Cataraqui Conservation.
4. They also wish to create a new learning package for this program, so teachers can extend the learning beyond the field trip.

Impact: 3,465 Individuals, 3,300 Youth

Cycle Kingston Inc. – Cycle Kingston Program Manager 2023, $11,252
From the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund

Cycle Kingston would like to hire a Program Manager to oversee all its activities in 2023. Cycle Kingston has grown since its inception 15 years ago to the point where the number of tasks and activities are beyond the capacity of the volunteer board members and temporary student staff who typically work May to August. The Program Manager will work a 10-month contract from February to November, working an average of 20 hours per week (25-30 hours per week in high season; 10-15 hours per week in low season) and will be responsible for planning and scheduling annual programs, promoting cycling education and outreach, hiring and supervising summer student staff, and administrative tasks for Cycle Kingston and its two social enterprises, Gear Up Recycled Bikes and Bicycle Valet Kingston.

Impact: 3,000 Individuals, 2,000 Youth

Scott Ecological Fund – Equipment for Scott Ecological Fund, $3,000

From the Smart and Caring Community Fund

Each set of equipment will support a single classroom education environment and extends the learning cycle throughout the academic year rather than the short growing season that would be available during the normal school period.

Impact: 900 Individuals and Youth

Wintergreen Studios – Winter Tracks and Traces: What Can we Learn? $3,400

From the Community Fund, the Bill and Gladys Kelly Community Fund, the McArthur Connidis Arts Fund, and the Jim and Julie Parker Fund

Winter Tracks and Traces will offer a window into the beauty and diversity of the winter months in the Frontenac Arch. While many think of winter as a time of hibernation – with not much going on – in fact, the winter months are filled with activity in the woods, the meadows, and the marshes and lakes. In partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Wintergreen Studios will dovetail with the CWF Below Zero Program, including the recording of tracks in iNaturalist. Winter Tracks and Traces will offer day-long adventures to targeted groups as well as to the public throughout the months of February and March 2023. Targeted groups will include local schools, the Sistema Kingston organization, university-aged students, and local families. Participants will have a host of opportunities to explore Wintergreen’s 200-acre sanctuary, taking part in activities that highlight the rich diversity of life on the land in the winter months.

Impact: 175 Individuals, 120 Youth

Health & Social Services

Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington – First Nation, Inuit, and Métis Cultural Services, $16,000
From the Smart and Caring Community Fund

There is a large overrepresentation of equity seeking groups served by child welfare and Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington have focused their work on addressing the overrepresentation and offering culturally responsive services. Despite representing approximately 4% of KFL&A population, the Indigenous community is grossly over-represented as a demographic which receives services from their agency; 39% of FACSFLA’s current child in care population and 34% of FACSFLA’s young people receiving continued care and support from the organization carry Indigenous identities. They hope that the programming offered will provide opportunity for improved sense of Indigenous identity, improved self-esteem, skill acquisition, inspiration or broadened horizons, development of healthy relationships and role models, and improved connection to multiple generations in community for children and youth who participate.

Impact: 75 Individuals, 30 Youth

Outreach St. George’s Kingston, Lunch by George – New Range Vent Hoods, $6,391.20

From The Tragically Hip Community Fund, and the Dr. Samuel S. Robinson Charitable Foundation Flow Through Fund

Outreach St. George’s Kingston – Lunch by George will use this funding to purchase a new pair of stove range vent hoods, as only one of their current vent hoods works. Both are suffering from years of long use in a kitchen environment, even though they are regularly cleaned, and the baffles sterilized. Without proper venting of gas ranges, there is some recently discovered danger from air pollution in the form of nitrogen dioxide and methane gasses. As many of their volunteers are seniors, air pollution, especially in the form of nitrogen dioxide can exacerbate COPD and other respiratory ailments such as asthma. They wish to provide the safest possible environment for their staff and volunteers, as well as their clients, many of whom experience respiratory issues as well.

Impact: 150 Individuals, 6 Youth

Lionhearts Inc. – Feeding Their Potential, $36,000

From the Smart and Caring COVID-19 Fund, the Smart and Caring Community Fund, the Sandiford Family Fund, the Peter Hartel Community Fund, the Skolnick Family Fund, the Regina Rosen Fund, and the K-Town Tri Legacy Fund

Lionhearts’ will receive funds for two of their most essential programs: operational funding for the Community Food Redistribution Warehouse (CFRW) and equipment funds to upgrade the kitchen used for the Community Nutrition Program. The key objective of each of these programs is to reduce food insecurity in KFL&A. Lionhearts is the Managing Partner of the CFRW which opened in March 2021 and has become an essential link in the food ecosystem of the region.

Impact: 250 Individuals

Ryandale Shelter for the Homeless (Ryandale Transitional House – Agency) – Operational Funding Staff Salary, $16,000

From the Terry Harris Endowment Fund, and the Smart and Caring Community Fund

Ryandale provides up to one year of supportive housing and services to men in the Kingston area who are experiencing homelessness after a history of health challenges or incarceration. Over the past few years, specifically post-COVID, Ryandale staff have observed an increase in the acuity levels of current residents and new applicants. These individuals need specialized support for issues including psychosis and addiction relapse. Often, this support is needed at times when there is no staff coverage. Funding for the housing support worker position will allow Ryandale to increase staff coverage at times when needs are highest and minimize risk to the house occupants and staff.

Impact: 20 Individuals

Bereaved Families of Ontario – Kingston Region – Expanding Staff Hours, $10,712

From the Anonymous #2 Endowment Fund, and the Sandiford Family Fund

Bereaved Families of Ontario – Kingston Region has been growing. The number of new clients supported in a year has more than tripled compared with 2017. To keep up with the demand, BFO-Kingston has been recruiting more volunteers, providing more support and more volunteer hours. This has created more work for the Office and Program Administrator, BFO-Kingston’s only paid staff member. The position used to involve 20 hours per week, and then another 15 hours per week working for Hospice Kingston. The partnership with Hospice Kingston came to an end as of August 31, 2022, due to their merger with Providence Care, which gave BFO-Kingston the opportunity to increase the Office and Program Administrator position to 30 hours per week. This means that there is more time available for volunteer recruitment and management, event planning, program planning, and addressing client needs.

Impact: 200 Individuals, 10 Youth

Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac – Rural Community Worker, $16,000

From the Eric Dewar Neuman Fund, the Aaron and Norma Palmer Endowment Fund, and The Tragically Hip Community Fund

Victim Services aims to continue and expand on a Rural Community Worker role who would have an expertise in supporting the needs of those in rural. This worker will work closely with OPP detachments and other community services within the Frontenac area to ensure the needs of the victims within rural areas are met. These needs could include safety planning, financial support, emotional support, practical assistance, referrals and more. Having a worker who could support clients from a rural satellite office within the community would enable Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac to continue the expansion of the service as well as make it more accessible to our rural communities.

Impact: 26,677 Individuals, 2,000 Youth

Kingston Community Health Centres – PORCH – Portable OutReach Care Hub, $25,000

From the Larry Gibson Community Fund

PORCH, the Portable OutReach Care Hub, is a program designed to remove barriers and improve access to vital services and supports for community members in Kingston and the greater area. The current services offered include: testing (Hep C, STIs, etc.), basic wound care, psychiatry, RAAM (Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine), and connection to treatment (in-take). While at this time, they only have the capacity to offer services a few days a week, they hope that our community partners will allow them to expand their services to better serve those who need it most. This will have a tremendously positive impact on the care of those experiencing homelessness, using substances, and those isolated by their geographic location.

Impact: 400 Individuals, 20 Youth

KFL&A Public Health – Dental Treatment Assistance Fund – Dental Treatment Assistant Fund of KFL&A, $16,000

From the Community Fund, and the Larry Gibson Community Fund

The short-term objective of DTAF is to provide access to urgent and essential dental care for KFL&A adults in need, to relieve their pain and suffering.

The longer-term objectives are to:

1. Reduce the number of oral health related ER visits among KFL&A residents,
2. Encourage regular preventive dental care visits by assisting adults in need of support to find a “dental home” or dentist,
3. Improve clients’ self-esteem related to their oral health.

Impact: 80 Individuals

Canadian National Institute for the Blind – CNIB Kingston Seniors Programming, $16,000

From the Community Fund

CNIB Seniors programs in Kingston help break social isolation for seniors and older adults (54+) with sight loss while also providing opportunities to learn new skills, stay active, and connect with the community. Popular programs include The Kingston Seniors Peer Support Group; Vision, Tech, and Rec Mates; Sport & Recreation programs; and Accessible Technology programs.

Impact: 50 Individuals

Well Suited Kingston – Well Suited Suiting and Agency Sustainability, $3,274.78

From the Community Fund, the Aaron and Norma Palmer Endowment Fund, the Opportunities Kingston Fund, and the Smart and Caring Community Fund

Well Suited Kingston is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support, guidance, and mentorship to men in need in Kingston and the surrounding community. Their mission is to promote the economic independence of men in need by providing suitable attire and career development tools. They also provide job readiness and essential life skills that help them enter the workforce, stay employed, and become role models for their families and communities. They work to achieve their mission through their suiting and career services.

Impact: 50 Individuals, 5 Youth

Kidney Foundation of Canada- Kingston Branch – Providing Financial Support for Low-Income Kidney Patients, $2,000

From the Regina Rosen Fund

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the national volunteer organization committed to eliminating the burden of kidney disease through funding innovative research, providing education and support to prevent kidney disease; advocating for improved access to health care; and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation.

As part of their mission The Kidney Association seeks to mitigate financial hardships experienced by kidney patients as a result of their diagnosis and treatment. 40% of kidney patients live at or below the poverty line due to the impact of their disease on their physical health and disruptions in their professional life from illness and ongoing treatments.

Impact: 50 Individuals

Tetra Society of North America – Tetra Kingston Chapter – Devices Breaking Barriers,  $3,000

From the Eddie Bak Memorial Fund, the Gordon Barr Ltd. Fund, the Frank and Sarah Good Memorial Fund, the McNevin Family Fund, Annie and Bill Patterson Community Fund, Phil Quattrochi Memorial Fund, David C. Riley Fund, and the Smart and Caring Community Fund

With this funding Tetra Society of North America – Kingston Chapter with be able to achieve the following goals:

• Kingston Chapter Community Outreach – increase community awareness of the service which the Tetra Kingston chapter provides to the disabled community with no charge for any labour.
• Increase Request for Assistance – The Tetra Society aims to increase the number of requests for devices from people with disabilities by 10% over 2022.
• Increase Custom Devices Built for Kingston & Area residents- As a result of the Kingston chapter outreach, there will be an increase in the number of Request for Assistance received by the Tetra Kingston chapter.
• Increase Tetra Kingston Volunteers – with an increase in demand for custom assistive devices, the Tetra Kingston chapter will be requiring additional volunteers to meet demand.

Impact: 8 Individuals, 2 Youth

Resolve Counselling Services Kingston – Kingston Frontenac Anti-Violence Coordinating Committee (KFACC) Community Engagement Project, $4,993.35

From the Jim and Julie Parker Fund

The first step in this project is to hire a dedicated Outreach Coordinator who will identify, contact, and bring community representation to the table from groups such as Indigenous, newcomers, refugees, 2SLGBTQ+, disabled, Francophone and seniors to ensure all voices are heard during the development process. The Outreach Coordinator will also develop onboarding documents to introduce community groups to the CSDS andd promote the CSDS into the community at large. KFACC is a volunteer group working together that includes 16 agencies providing services directly for survivors of SA/DV and 22 other affiliated agencies, groups, and community members; sectors include shelter/housing, health/counselling support, law enforcement, military, and justice. Working together to sustain a coordinated community response to SA/DV, we problem-solve, develop projects to help identify gaps in services, create public awareness, and develop community resources.

Impact: 161,780 Individuals, 31,420 Youth

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington – Inclusion Focused Mentoring for Equity Deserving Groups, $2,500

From the Assante Wealth Management – Johnson St. Branch Endowment Fund

The goal of this project is to create a specific curriculum for equity deserving groups and expand access to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Community Based Mentoring Programs (One-to-One and Group programs, such as Big Bunch) to these groups. The project is multi-tiered and focused on curriculum development, training delivery, and program delivery. Target Groups include:

• Non-exclusive list of underrepresented/equity deserving groups
• Newcomers to Canada/ First generation Canadians
• 2SLGBTQ+ Community
• Youth in Care
• Racialized individuals
• Indigenous Community
• Individuals with Complex Needs/Neuro Diverse individuals

Impact: 70 Individuals, 50 Youth

Heritage Preservation

Limestone District School Board – Sydenham High School 150^th Reunion Yearbook Digitization Project, $5,222.30

From the Ross and Suzanne Kilpatrick Fund, the Ronald and Mildred Grant Family Fund, the Marin Pest Management Fund, the McNevin Family Fund, the Ellen Shepherd Community Fund

The goals of this project are to:

• Preserve the history of Sydenham High School (SHS) for past, current, and future generations by digitizing yearbooks from 1946-2022
• Foster a sense of identity and wellbeing by connecting students, alumni and staff who attended SHS
• Decrease barriers to access by creating an online repository for yearbooks
• Create an innovative, landmark project to mark the 150th anniversary of SHS in 2023
• Deliverables
• Scan and digitize as many of the 77 SHS published yearbooks and 3 historical booklets as can be located in hard copy
• Upload the yearbooks to the SHS website
• Launch the yearbooks during the SHS 150th Reunion August 24-27, 2023

Impact: 5,000 Individuals, 550 Youth

Youth

The Food Sharing Project – Refrigeration Equipment for Student Nutrition Programs, $12,000

From the Smart and Caring Community Fund

The three coolers placed in three large schools would provide 40 cubic feet of storage for refrigerated food at each site, meaning more and a broader range of food items would be available. Typically, around 10+% of a school population access student nutrition program on a regular/daily basis (40% on an occasional basis). By extension, The Food Sharing Project can estimate that about 50 students would access healthy snacks or meals daily at each large school – or about 250 meals per week. Since food is delivered weekly, the cooler would hold fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs, hummus, and yogurt for preparing 250 meals or snacks per week for each school.

Impact: 16,000 Individuals, 16,000 Youth

YMCA of Eastern Ontario – Work Hard, Eat Well Program, $16,000

From The Tragically Hip Community Fund, and the Alcan Endowment Fund

Work Hard, Eat Well program provides no-fee access to a YMCA program delivering physical and food literacy to kids and you in the low-income community. The program is offered in Rideau Heights guarantees children and youth, regardless of race, religion, gender, ability, or family financial circumstance, are able to access this program, benefiting their health and wellness. The primary audience is children and youth aged 6-16 years of age. The focus of the overall program is physical literacy, intended to help kids and youth reach minimum physical activity per week as per the department of health and human services.

Impact: 500 Individuals, 500 Youth

Kingston Employment and Youth Services Inc. – KEYS and Kiwanis Club of Kingston: Storage and Transportation Equipment of Household Donations for Refugees, $6,500

From the Eric Dewar Neuman Fund, and the Ellen Shepherd Community Fund

The goal of this project is to have one SeaCan house large furniture donations (sofas, beds, tables & chairs, etc.) while the second SeaCan will house smaller household donations organized with shelves and stackable boxes. Smaller donations have proven difficult to organize and track since they typically arrive in an assortment of cardboard boxes that are awkward to arrange and access amongst the larger furniture donations stored in the SeaCan. Transporting donations continues to be a concern. We estimate that having our own vehicle, despite additional insurance and maintenance costs, will reduce our annual outlay for the donations program and free up funds to further support refugees. Our own vehicle would provide significant flexibility to meet the needs and schedules of donors, refugees, staff and volunteers.

Impact: 300 Individuals, 125 Youth

BGC South East – Summer Camp Subsidies for Local Children, $16,000

From the Community Fund

This project will provide 80 subsidies for families in need, to access week-long summer camps in 2023. Camps will deliver developmentally stimulating activities to children ages 4-12, across different locations in Kingston & Area. This project will benefit 1,500 unique children in 2023. Summer camps will provide professional development opportunities to 100 local youth through quality employment experiences.  Summer camps will provide:

– Full day developmental stimulation in variety of areas (sports, arts & science, education)

– Access to caring and positive role models

– High-quality supervision

– Healthy snacks and lunches

Impact: 1,500 Individuals, 1,500 Youth

Regina Rosen Food First Fund

Each recipient is given a $1,000 grant to support their efforts.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston for the Women Empowered Hub Program.

Kingston Literacy & Skills for the Care for Newcomer Children Program.

The Mess Open Arts Studio to support the sharing of food for artists and participants at the Studio.

Kingston Interval House to support the Robin’s Hope Program.

Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac to support individuals in need of support when when food sources may be closed.

Extend-A-Family Kingston for the Dunya Hydroponic Greenhouse.

❱ 2022 Grants

❱ 2021 Grants

❱ 2020 Grants

❱ 2019 Grants

❱ 2018 Grants

❱ 2017 Grants

❱ 2016 Grants

❱ 2015 Grants