“What we spend, we lose. What we keep will be left for others. What we give away will be ours forever.” – David McGee

Fall 2016 Grants Award Ceremony Video

On December 14th the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area celebrated the giving of 24 grants – totaling $189,363 – with community organizations, donors, volunteers and members of the public at the Seniors Centre.  The heart-warming display of the compassion and commitment of many diverse charities and individuals fits with the spirit of the season, but is in fact something that enriches our community year-round.

At the event we heard from the grantees about how the grants would enhance the lives of a total of over 13,000 people in Kingston and area.  We also heard from two past grantees on the work that their grants allowed them to do, and we all had a chance to mingle and talk to each other.

The Community Foundation is honoured to facilitate the important work being done by organizations in Kingston & Area – from dental care for refugees to addiction literacy for youth to facilitated expression through arts and so much more.   You can read about the diverse projects funded this granting round below, and experience a bit of the Grants Celebration itself though this short highlight video.

The Community Grants program and all the other forms of giving we do at the Foundation are made possible through the efforts of so many donors and volunteers who give of their time and resources all year long from which our community will benefit all year and for many years to come.

Fall 2016 Community Grants Funded:

Arts & Culture

Cantabile Choirs of Kingston, Projectors for Rehearsal Room: $3,293

From the Tragically Hip Community Fund and the Neil Currie Davis Fund

Cantabile wishes to purchase and install equipment in its rehearsal room to allow for projection of scores, reading exercises and video clips which will assist the choristers in learning music fundamentals, developing musical ear and literacy, improving sight-reading and score study, and exploring the connection of body to freedom of sound. The projector will assist with the promotion of the organization and enhance meetings, presentations and lectures.

County of Frontenac – Fairmount Home, History of Expression (Anikeyadjimodjog Megwehi Anh): $7,400

From the Theda Anderson Fund and the Larry Gibson Community Fund

‘History Through Expression’ is an integrated arts program to honour Canada’s 150^th year. Residents will be engaged in self-expression by making hand drums, being educated in aboriginal culture, storytelling, having fun with theatre games, mime and props, learning seated dances and joining in song. This program, hosted by Fairmount Home, will culminate in a presentation to celebrate Canada’s 150^th birthday, opening the door for future programs of this nature.

Kingston School of Art, Community Studio: $2,698

From the Edward Ratcliffe Fund

The Community Studio project will make the two studios at the Kingston School of Art available to community artists during non-class times. This project will provide artists with a shared space in which they can pursue their creative interests, interact and learn from each other, and form community, facilitated through the provision of storage facilities for their art materials.

Melos Music Society, Baroque Idol Expanded: $3,485

From the Edward Ratcliffe Fund and the Ellen Shepherd Community Fund

Baroque Idol: Melos invites local singers to perform for audience and judges, competing for cash prizes.  First prize includes a solo performance with Melos.  New this year: “Baroque Masters”, for adults 40+.  One workshop day, the week before competition, offered to finalists to receive coaching by Early Music specialists, open to public to audit.  Singers will learn Baroque Bel Canto technique and ornamentation; accompanists learn harpsichord and continuo technique.

Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, Digital Mapping and the Politics of Place: $5,976

From the Ruth and Stu Barton Community Fund, The McNevin Family Fund and the Eddie Bak Memorial Fund

Digital Mapping and the Politics of Place will engage with our local arts community and broader public through workshops, talks and walking tours that explore the intersecting issues of race, geography and marginalization. A co-presentation of SAVAC and Modern Fuel, this project seeks to connect artist-in-residence Hiba Ali with Kingston-based artists to promote a dialogue around community-oriented and socially-engaged arts practices.

Children’s Mental Health

Youth Diversion, Addiction Literacy Program: $25,328

From the Sunnyside Children’s Fund

Thanks to a one time grant from the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, Youth Diversion will be introducing elementary students in grade 6, 7 and 8 throughout KFLA to addictions literacy.  This six week early intervention program delivered by KAIROS addictions counsellors will focus on building resiliency and increasing the capacity for students to understand the impacts of drugs and alcohol.  At the same time addressing a need for addiction supports in our elementary schools.

Community Development

H’art Centre of Smiles Inc., Seeing The Music: $4,000

From the Alcan Endowment Fund

H’art Centre will initiate and support a choir of up to 30 youth, adults and seniors who are blind or partially sighted under the guidance of a professional musician. The twice-weekly preparation and rehearsal sessions will culminate in three celebratory performances featuring two informative talk-back sessions in April 2017.

Music Mates Inc., Dalcroze Music for DSAK: $4,890

From the Helping Hands for Those with Disabilities Fund

Dalcroze Eurythmics has the unique ability to access innate tendencies of individuals with special needs by building on their abilities in a natural, non-threatening setting.  Essentially, Dalcroze develops coordination through musical experiences.  Participants naturally become inclined to complete specific instructions by first engaging in the musical experience and then coming to an understanding of what they have accomplished.

Education & Literacy

K3C Counselling Centres, Youth Financial Literacy Program: $15,353

From the Marion Myer Opportunity Fund, the Elisabeth Heney Fund for Literacy, The Bill and Nancy Gray Fund, The Larry Gibson Community Fund and the Tragically Hip Community Fund

K3C Counselling Centres is excited to offer youth between the ages of 15-24, FREE budgeting and money management workshops. We will look at how to live within our means, manage student loan debt, credit cards, and plan for larger purchases like a car or home. Participants will also receive a TOOL KIT containing practical everyday resources. Contact us at 613.549.7850 to register and get on the right track FROM THE START.

Spelling Bee of Canada (Kingston Chapter), Outreach for Kingston Regional Spelling Bee: $1,197

From the Kingston Whig Standard Literacy Fund

The Kingston Region Spelling Bee organizes a local competition every year for students aged 6 to 14. Trophies and cash prizes are awarded to the top three spellers in the three age categories. The first-place winner in each category proceeds to the provincial competition of Spelling Bee of Canada in Toronto. Students will meet other spelling enthusiasts, participate in fun mock spelling bees, learn spelling tips and tricks, and develop confidence in public speaking.

Environment

Cycle Kingston, Inc., Banner Signs for Safe Cycling Circuits: $3,172

From the Alcan Endowment Fund

Cycle Kingston will design and produce small, portable banners to identify stations of its Safe Cycling Circuits. The banners will show participants how to proceed through the course, and emphasize the skills being learned, as well as brand the activity in a professional manner.

Health & Social Services

Diocese of Ontario Refugee Support, Kingston Refugee Oral Health Initiative: $8,670

From the Richard Moorehouse Community Fund, the Peter Hartel Fund and the Smart & Caring Community Fund

Kingston Refugee Oral Health Initiative embeds at the local level the compassionate response of Canadians to the refugee crisis by providing funds for dental care. Most refugees have not had access to dental care for many years. Dental pain is an obstacle to language study, volunteering and employment, and social integration more broadly. This project will fund dental work not covered by existing sources of support and enable a healthy start to life in Kingston.

Elizabeth Fry Kingston, Bail Advocacy and Intensive Liaison: $10,678

From the David Middleton North End Development Fund, the Terry Harris Fund, the Russell and Susan Park Memorial Fund and an Anonymous Fund

A strengths-based program for female bail population, recognizing self-worth, lessen stigma, and develop pro-social plans. Achieved through intensive one-on-one assistance at practical level (bail plan, accommodation assistance) and 4-session program (accessing resources, self-care, problem-solving, pro-social responses, etc.). Women facing charges and those sentenced face isolation often due to stigma, minimal supports, strained familial relationships/friendships, un-under-employment and education, addictions, and deteriorating mental health. They need advocates in their corner and spaces in which to thrive.

Loving Spoonful, We don’t “Stand” for no “Bull”: Innovative Fresh Food Delivery: $11,918

From the Ruth and Stu Barton Community Fund, the Michael Potter Memorial Fund, the Community Fund and an Anonymous Fund

Loving Spoonful is building a new supply chain to provide deeply discounted meat to agencies serving those in need in Kingston.  By sourcing meat from local farms with culled livestock, farmers have improved income while feeding those in need.  We’re also expanding our successful Fresh Food Market Stands so our low-income neighbours can eat fresh, healthy food, no questions asked.  That’s fresh food innovation- thanks to the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area!

Southern Frontenac Community Service Corp., Good Graces Café Start-Up: $8,110

From the Alcan Endowment Fund, The Tragically Hip Community Fund, the Anne &Bill Patterson Fund and the Gordon Barr Ltd. Fund

Southern Frontenac Community Services will operate the Good Graces Café located at Grace Hall in Sydenham, Ontario. The café is a social enterprise pilot project to create a safe space for seniors – particularly those who are lonely or feel isolated in the community – to socialize with others. It is also a place for seniors and high school youth to volunteer together, to stay active in their community and build intergenerational connectedness.

Southern Frontenac Community Service Corp., Grace Centre Garden and Outdoor Expansion: $7,826

From the Assante Financial Management Fenlon Division Fund

Southern Frontenac Community Services will develop its newly expanded property to include a larger garden to produce fresh vegetables for the food bank and meals on wheels program, and an accessible pathway for seniors in the adult day program to get fresh air and exercise. The property will be a place for people in the community to wander, rest, remember, work, and appreciate.

Tetra Society of North America, Kingston – Assistive Device Booster Initiative: $3,000

From the Alcan Endowment Fund

The Tetra Society is an independent, volunteer-driven charitable society dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with significant physical disabilities by providing custom-made assistive devices designed and built by skilled, caring, local volunteers. Each year, Tetra volunteers in communities across Canada create hundreds of devices to assist people facing mobility obstacles to be healthier, more active, and independent at home, at work, at school and throughout the community.

Heritage Preservation

Museum of Health Care at Kingston, An Exercise in Strategic Thinking: $3,890

From the Chown Fund and the Douglas Branton Fell Memorial Fund

The Museum of Health Care at Kingston will undergo a strategic planning process to refocus its operations to better meet community needs and its mission to preserve and share the history of health care in Canada. This exercise will include guidance from a professional facilitator and public input.

Youth

Easter Seals Ontario, Send A Kid To Camp: $7,500

From the Dr. Samuel Robinson Charitable Foundation and the Marion & John Dunn Fund

Easter Seals Ontario is a registered Canadian charity that has been serving children and youth with physical disabilities since 1922. Recognized as an industry leader in providing therapeutic recreational programs, Easter Sales provides a safe environment that fosters autonomy, self-esteem and acceptance. Camp Merrywood near Perth, Ontario and Camp Woodeden in London, Ontario offer a wide range of exciting, fully accessible activities and programs, led by a team of specially trained staff.

Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre Queen’s University- Indigenous Youth Council: $16,879

From the Woodbury Enterprises We Care Youth Fund, the Sandiford Family Fund and the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation

We intend to foster positive outcomes relating to civic engagement for Indigenous youth.  Our long-tern vision is to establish an Indigenous Youth Council that will provide Indigenous youth with the tools to become effective leaders and mentors for other Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.  Knowledge is power and Indigenous youth will enhance and develop strong leadership capabilities so they can play a central role within both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Kingston Community Health Centres, Dare to Stand Out: Youth Diversity Conference: $3,049

From the Sunnyside Children’s Fund

The Dare to Stand Out: Youth Diversity Conference is an opportunity for high school students from the LDSB to learn more about human diversity and social inclusion. Participants will be empowered to raise awareness about all kinds of discrimination and will have the opportunity to talk freely about identity and self-expression issues.

This full-day conference is organized by a group of immigrant and refugee youth from the Kingston Community Health Centre’s Multicultural Youth Group.

K3C Counselling Centres, Caring Dads: $20,575

From the Assante Financial Management Fenlon Division Fund, the Smart & Caring Community Fund, the Larry Gibson Community Fund, the Ellen Shepherd Community Fund and an Anonymous Fund

Caring Dads is a 15 week group program designed to improve the quality of men’s parenting. Through the group, men learn that they have an important and valuable role to play in creating healthy and safe relationships with their children. Men who complete the groups gain child-centred parenting skills while building and using social support systems.

Northern Frontenac Community Services, From Gaming to Games: $5,560

From the Marion & John Dunn Fund and the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation

Process addictions are quickly becoming a serious concern amongst the youth population. There are risks of obesity due to long periods of inactivity during screen time. Northern Frontenac Community Services and the YMCA Y-GAP Outreach worker will provide a 16 week program designed to engage youth in fun, physical activities while providing messages to encourage youth from developing habits that could lead to a process addiction problem and poor physical activity habits.

Winter Warmth Program, Winter Program December 2016 to November 2017: $5,000

From the Dr. Samuel Robinson Charitable Foundation

Winter Warmth provides clothing and footwear for children in need in Kingston and the surrounding area. These necessary items support their physical and emotional well-being. Our goal is to help children be warm and dry, able to participate in school classes, activities, and sports. We want for them the confidence and well-being that comes with having adequate clothing and footwear.