Community Foundation for Kingston & Area Awards Over $332,000 to 23 Local Initiatives

The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area is helping to build community resilience with its Fall 2024 Community Grants Program. By awarding $332,000 to 23 impactful projects, the Community Foundation is addressing vital community needs, from supporting mental health to fostering environmental stewardship and increasing access to essential resources.

This round of funding, contributed by 84 different Funds managed by the Community Foundation, marks the second-largest single round of Community Grants awarded since the program’s inception in 1995. The grants reflect the Foundation’s commitment to building resilience and well-being across Kingston and the surrounding region.

“These projects, delivered across a wide array of types of organizations, demonstrate our local agencies’ innovation in addressing both urgent needs and emerging opportunities, and the breadth of programming across the lifespan also helps to build stronger community resilience.” says Stacy Kelly, Executive Director, Community Foundation for Kingston & Area.

Building Community Resilience

This year’s grants prioritize initiatives that build community resilience and increase belonging and well-being. The Community Foundation aspires to enhance the ability of our community to utilize available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations. Communities that are more informed, more socially connected, and have access to resources are more quickly able to overcome challenges. The next round of the Community Grants Program will open in February 2025, with more details to be announced in the New Year.

“Working closely with applicants and seeing their passion for creating positive change in our community is truly inspiring. These projects are not just ideas—they are lifelines, opportunities, and solutions to some of our region’s most pressing challenges. Through this grant round, we’re proud to support initiatives that strengthen resilience and foster belonging across Kingston and the surrounding areas.”
— Scott M Forster, Grants Officer, Community Foundation for Kingston & Area

A full list of the 23 funded projects can be found below:

1. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kingston | Trauma-Informed Focused Mentoring | $17,080
This initiative expands trauma-informed mentoring for children with high Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scores. Small group programs will provide activities like art, sports, and cooking to reduce isolation, build resilience, and improve social-emotional growth. The program will support 250 children and families annually.

2. Centre for Abuse and Trauma Therapy | Breaking Beyond Barriers | $25,000
A 30-week trauma-focused therapy program for individuals with severe mental health challenges such as Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. The initiative will provide psychoeducation, emotional regulation skills, and coping strategies to 18 participants, reducing symptoms and fostering stability.

3. Chalmers United Church | Benevolent Program – Community Outreach | $25,000
This program provides essentials like food, toiletries, and clothing to vulnerable individuals in Kingston, while also connecting them to community services like mental health and housing support. Approximately 1,500 people will benefit annually, fostering stability and well-being.

4. Doula Support Foundation | Doula Support Services | $16,000
This initiative provides free or low-cost doula care to marginalized families, particularly those facing financial hardship, systemic barriers, or trauma. Services include emotional, physical, and educational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. The program significantly improves birth outcomes and reduces parental stress. This funding will ensure living wages for doulas, addressing burnout and supporting high-quality care for 27–40 clients in 2025.

5. H’art Centre | Shine a Light on Me | $15,000
This project supports neurodivergent adults and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities through creative arts programming, including music, dance, and visual arts. As participants transition to a new facility at Providence Village, the initiative ensures continuity, reducing stress and enhancing well-being. Collaboration with over 150 Queen’s University students will foster inclusivity and connection, benefiting around 375 individuals annually.

6. Independent Living Centre Kingston | Community Lending Library | $20,500
This program provides free access to assistive devices, including mobility aids, shower chairs, and other essential tools, for individuals with disabilities. By addressing the closure of similar services in the area, the project supports independence, safety, and improved quality of life for approximately 1,700 individuals annually. Funding will cover staff salaries, transportation for clients, and sanitization of equipment.

7. Kingston Community Health Centres | Engaging Communities in Active Living | $8,600
This initiative promotes physical activity through two key programs: Kingston Gets Active Month and the Grade 5 & 9 ActivPass. These programs provide free access to recreation facilities for students and organize physical activity events for all ages. The project addresses barriers like cost and transportation, fostering healthier lifestyles and reducing social isolation for 6,500 individuals annually.

8. Kingston Home Base Housing | Youth Arts and Culture Hub | $13,000
The Kingston Youth Arts and Culture Hub offers a safe, creative space for homeless and at-risk youth aged 12–24. Located at the historic Princess Street United Church, the hub provides arts therapy, music, Indigenous healing, and wellness programs to reduce isolation and foster mental health. This project will benefit approximately 479 individuals annually, promoting personal growth and stronger community ties.

9. Kingston Employment & Youth Services Inc. (KEYS) | Summer ESL Classes for Newcomer Children & Youth | $23,600
This initiative offers a 7–8 week intensive ESL program for high-needs newcomer children and youth, focusing on Government Assisted Refugees in grades 4–12. By preventing language loss during summer and fostering academic readiness, the program ensures better integration and success for 96 students. Additional support, including snacks, educational materials, and transportation, addresses barriers for families.

10. Kingston Literacy & Skills | The Colores of Kingston | $5,390
Through live performances and a poster campaign, this arts initiative celebrates the voices of newcomers and counters anti-immigrant sentiment. Colombian musician Fabian Arciniegas will perform two live concerts, while Venezuelan artist Sergio Jaua will create posters highlighting themes of identity and belonging. The project will engage over 1,000 residents and foster a more inclusive community.

11. Kingston Secondary School | Full Stomachs, Full Freezers, Full Minds | $15,850
This project tackles food insecurity among vulnerable students by offering free daily hot lunches through cafeteria cards and heat-and-eat meals for weekends and holidays. Meals are prepared by students in the Pathways to Education program, who gain valuable culinary skills. This initiative supports 500 students annually, improving focus, attendance, and academic outcomes.

12. The Corporation of Loyalist Township | Indigenous Legacy Space Activation | $13,000
This project at the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre creates a permanent Indigenous Legacy Space to honor Indigenous cultures and promote reconciliation. Partnerships with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund will ensure meaningful programming, including storytelling, art workshops, and language sessions led by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers. Approximately 3,800 visitors annually will engage with the space, fostering cultural understanding and education.

13. Lionhearts Inc | Food Box Program (Child Wellness and Nutrition) | $16,000
Addressing food insecurity among vulnerable children, this program delivers bi-monthly food boxes to 250 families. Each box includes balanced items and simple recipe cards to encourage healthy eating habits. This initiative supports approximately 900 individuals annually, improving stability and wellness for children and their families.

14. New Leaf Link | Financial Recovery | $11,655
New Leaf Link will sustain its Developmental Program Manager position to continue delivering programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in rural Frontenac County. The grant will help the organization recover from pandemic-related challenges, supporting 35 participants and improving social engagement, learning opportunities, and community connections.

15. Outreach St. George’s Kingston | Lunch by George – Breakfast Program | $14,000
Serving hot breakfasts daily, this program addresses food insecurity for marginalized individuals in downtown Kingston. Recent closures of local shelters have increased the demand for this weekday service, which provides meals such as sandwiches, boiled eggs, and fruit. Approximately 7,000 breakfasts will be served annually, fostering stability and connection for vulnerable community members.

16. Partners in Mission Food Bank | Client Self-Serve Freezer | $17,224
This initiative introduces a commercial 3-door freezer at the food bank’s new facility, supporting a client-choice model that allows families to select frozen foods based on their preferences. The freezer will enhance dignity and autonomy for clients while increasing the food bank’s capacity to serve 80–100 households daily. In 2023, the food bank distributed food to over 8,000 individuals, and this project is projected to benefit approximately 7,500 individuals annually.

17. Rideau Waterway Land Trust | Indigenous Youth Land Stewardship Program | $5,000
By blending Indigenous knowledge with Western conservation practices, this program engages Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in sustainable land stewardship. Workshops led by Indigenous Knowledge Holders and biologists focus on traditional practices, environmental science, and cultural understanding. This initiative benefits 100 participants annually, fostering intergenerational knowledge-sharing and environmental advocacy.

18. Start2Finish Canada | Enhancement of the R&R Club+ | $20,000
This after-school program for children in grades 1–6 addresses literacy gaps, mental health, and physical activity. Activities include culturally relevant literacy exercises, social-emotional learning, and running clubs. Serving 200 low-income children, the program aligns with Ontario’s educational standards to address pandemic-related learning gaps and boost academic success.

19. STEM Camp Foundation | Camp STEAM Canada Access for Disadvantaged Children | $3,000
This initiative provides subsidies for children from low-income families to attend Camp STEAM Canada in Kingston. Focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, the camp inspires interest in STEAM careers and mitigates summer learning loss. Ten children will receive financial support, fostering educational enrichment and inclusivity.

20. St. Lawrence Youth Association | Sensory Space | $10,000
Aiming to create a calming and therapeutic environment, the Sensory Space will be installed in a female youth custody facility. It will include specialized sensory equipment such as tactile panels, LED lighting, and vibration chairs. These tools will help reduce emotional dysregulation and support trauma-informed rehabilitation, replacing punitive measures with therapeutic care. The space is expected to benefit 100 justice-involved youth annually, fostering emotional stability and positive long-term outcomes.

21. University Hospitals Kingston Foundation | I Can Bike – KidsInclusive | $24,050
This program helps children with disabilities learn to ride a bike independently through a week-long program using adapted bicycles and volunteer support. By gaining these skills, children experience increased confidence, independence, and family bonding opportunities. The program serves 32 children annually, with over 80% achieving independence on two wheels.

22. Wintergreen Studios | Writing Change: Climate Resilience Residency for Young Writers | $4,500
This residency program provides young writers aged 19–29 the opportunity to explore climate resilience through creative writing. Held twice annually, the four-day residency includes mentorship, workshops, and nature-based learning. Participants engage with environmental experts during Wintergreen’s Land Art BioBlitz events, fostering eco-advocacy and creative expression. The program benefits eight writers annually, equipping them to address eco-anxiety through their craft.

23. Young Patients’ Family Support Services of Southeastern Ontario INC. | The Gift of Life | $8,696
This project by Almost Home focuses on providing hospital-grade breast pumps for families with premature infants. Serving families with children undergoing hospital treatment, the initiative replaces outdated pumps to ensure babies receive critical nutrition. The program will purchase two new pumps and associated kits, supporting approximately 2,000 families annually. It alleviates stress for parents during critical early weeks and improves health outcomes for vulnerable newborns.