June 22nd, 2016
Ontario Trillium Grant to help new Canadians
MEDIA RELEASE June 22, 2016
For Immediate Release
Maria de Boer (right), Executive Director of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region with (R to L) Matt Riehl, MPP Catherine Fife and Tashi Thomson, receive an Ontario Trillium Grant for to help newcomer Canadians access resources and services.
KITCHENER – On Thursday, local MPP Catherine Fife stopped by the “Count Me In” rally held by Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region and I Choose Dignity, to bring her congratulations to the group, who recently received a $65,700 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Funds will help the non-profit organization to help new Canadians who have, or who are parents to a child who has, developmental disabilities to better access local services.
“Extend-A-Family is an anchor in our community for families with children living with disability. Seed funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation will allow them to expand their services and increase the capacity of Waterloo Region’s settlement services by designing programming specifically for families new to Waterloo Region. Access to inclusive services is a key part of community building and connectivity.”– Catherine Fife, MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo
A 2011 survey of parents of a child with a disability, conducted by Contact A Family, reported that 65 percent of respondents feel isolated either frequently or all of the time. Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region conducted a focus group in 2015, where newcomer parents were given an open floor to express their needs and concerns. Many expressed reluctance to acknowledge their child’s disability, and a refusal to research or access services offered to support them in Canada, out of fear of reprisal or further isolation.
“Through strong partnerships, our hope is to increase the capacity of the settlement sector,” said Matt Riehl, Community Development Coordinator, Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region. “This grant will assist families who have loved ones with disabilities, and enable the development sector to better serve newcomer families.”
Following the focus group, Riehl felt there was an opportunity to offer supports to newcomers, through a Newcomer Resource Coach. He, along with Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region Executive Director Maria de Boer set out defining what that might look like. Funds from the grant are being used to hire a staff person to operate the initiative, hosting workshops and information sessions, as well as producing workshop materials and advertising costs. Extend-A-Family will be working with other organizations in the community to ensure a smoother delivery of services.
“We want to create a clear way that begins with supporting families new to Canada in getting the services they need,” said de Boer. “We believe this will lead to new Canadians connecting with one another, and the people in the community, with the hope of creating a greater sense of inclusion and belonging.”
De Boer added that the grant will also work hard to encourage newcomers to be active and confident residents in Waterloo Region, and offer an opportunity to introduce them to healthcare and social service resources. For more information on programs offered, please visit: www.eafwr.on.ca
A leading grantmaking foundation in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. For more information on the Foundation, please visit the website at: www.otf.ca
About Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region:
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region was founded by parents of children with developmental disabilities, as a way to build friendship and nurture community in Waterloo Region. Community. Dignity. Belonging.
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