Three local non-profit organizations will share $412,600 from the province's Ontario Trillium Foundation to support community programming in Cambridge, help youth in Cambridge feel more connected, and provide healing and community programs for the Indigenous community.
Cambridge MPP Brian Riddell announced the funding Friday when he welcomed YWCA Cambridge CEO Kim Decker, YMCA of Three Rivers CEO Mike Ennis, YMCA director of philanthropy Christine McIntyre-Royston and YWCA director of programming Kate Taylor to his office.
YMCA of Three Rivers is receiving $174,500, YWCA Cambridge is receiving $199,200 and Crow Shield Lodge will receive $38,900.
“These funds are crucial in allowing these organizations to carry out important work they do for people in our community,” Riddell said. "YW and YMCA Cambridge and Crow Shield Lodge enrich the lives our our residents while playing an important role in the building of a prosperous and strong Ontario."
YWCA Cambridge will use its funding to develop and test new programs to meet the changing needs of cisgender and transgender girls, gender-diverse and two-spirit youth.
Taylor said as the YWCA continues to see increased need among youth in Cambridge and North Dumfries, the organization is planning a year-one "landscape scan" to identify gaps by assessing feedback from participants, parents, caregivers and child and youth workers. In the second year, the YWCA will pilot some of those programs.
Decker said the biggest impetus behind the desire to develop new programs was the Children and Youth Planning Table's recent findings.
"Specifically around how disconnected youth in Cambridge feel," she said.
Gender-based violence, bullying, isolation and mental health challenges are soaring, she said.
Crow Shield Lodge will use its funding to create a strategic plan to ensure it can continue to provide healing and community programs to local urban Indigenous populations and allies.
"Crow Shield Lodge has been on a journey for several years supporting the Urban Indigenous community in their healing and cultural reconnection through experiences on the land," said Clarence Cachagee, ED Crow Shield Lodge, in a press release.
"In addition to this, we have been walking with all communities locally on a path of learning and peace. Our work has seen many beautiful relationships grow and we see every day the positive impact this has. With this funding, we can dream, envision and plan a sustainable way to continue this work in the Region that will benefit the ones after us and honour those who went before us."
The YMCA funding will be used to establish a major and planned gift strategy to develop its revenue potential and build capacity to support its mission-driven work.
Mike Ennis, CEO YMCA of Three Rivers, thanks the Trillium Foundation for its "incredible support" for their programs and the partnerships it continues to work on and develop with the YWCA and Crow Shield Lodge.
"That's really what needs to happen in the community now. For partners to work together for what's best for happening in the community and nothing has shown us that more than the pandemic," he said. "The pandemic showed all of us how important all the services are that we provide."
The YMCA will use the funding to diversify and grow its fundraising program so they can continue to provide programs and services "that inspire individuals to reach their full potential today and into the future,” Ennis said.
