2017 Grantees
Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region
The grant to Big Brother Big Sisters Waterloo Region is to expand Go Girls! to the Township of Wilmot.
Go Girls! is a group mentoring program for girls ages 12-14 that focuses on physical activity, balanced eating and self-esteem. The single, most important goal of the program is to positively shape the lives of young women and girls by helping them build a positive self-image – setting them on a path to reach their full potential in life.
The expansion to the township of Wilmot will address needs of at-risk girls living in rural areas and positively impact their personal development.
Child Witness Centre (CWC)
The first grant to the Child Witness Centre is to support them as the lead agency in the implementation of the Waterloo Region Child and Youth Advocacy Centre service delivery model.
At the Waterloo Region Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), specially-trained professionals investigate allegations of child abuse in a confidential, comforting, child/youth friendly and trauma-informed environment, and ensure children, youth and their families receive the support services they need. Investigations can be intimidating and support for these kids has been fragmented.
The second grant to the Child Witness Centre Empowering Youth to Use Their Voice and Be Heard program.
This program supports and empowers 30-50 youth to use their voice, be heard through the justice process and provides them with resources so they can heal.
Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA)
The grant to CMHA Waterloo Wellington is for the WAYVE program.
WAYVE (Wellness, Acceptance, Youth Voices and Empowerment supports youth to create and deliver anti-violence, mental health and resiliency promotion educational activities and resource materials to their peers, empowering them to become leaders in the schools and community with the goal of enhancing the mental health and resiliency skills of all youth.
Community Justice Initiatives (CJI)
The grant to CJI is for the BackHome: Youth Reintegration Circles program.
BackHome: Youth Reintegration Circles creates volunteer mentor circles of support for youth in custody to assist the youth in making a positive transition back into the community.
Grand River Hospital
The grant to Grand River Hospital is for the Propel program.
Propel is an investment and incentive program to encourage children and youth with
mental health issues to get active and involved in community programs. This program will address the lack of transitional support youth receive after initial treatment for acute mental health care and crisis intervention. Many do not connect with
community care opportunities once they leave the hospital.
Lutherwood
The grant to Lutherwood is for the Music Therapy program which helps youth with serious mental health challenges thrive.
When it’s hard for kids with serious mental health challenges to talk through their problems, music can help find a path to healing. The music therapy program at Lutherwood helps kids find their strengths and successes.
oneROOF
The grant to oneROOF is for the Lifeline program, the core operation of oneROOF.
The Lifeline Program provides the essential services needed (for example showers, food, laundry, clothing, warmth, bathrooms, etc.) for youth, ages 12-25, who are experiencing homelessness.
Pathways to Education
The grant to Pathways to Education is for Program Innovation at Pathways Kitchener.
This grant contributes to the core costs of delivering the Pathways Kitchener program and in doing so provide the program with the flexibility to respond to time-sensitive investments regarding projects that entail designing, testing, and implementing adaptations to the program that meet emerging unmet needs.
Sexual Assault Support Centre
The grant to the Sexual Assault Support Centre is for the Male Allies program.
The purpose of the Males Allies program is to encourage male youth in developing a positive self-image, experience healthy relationships and avoid destructive behaviours by interaction with trained male peer-educators and role models in the community.
University of Waterloo
The grant to University Waterloo is for the Teens in Motion (TIM) program through the Faculty of Health.
This program is designed for youth to develop physical literacy and healthy habits for life. Teens In Motion is an exercise program for clinically overweight teenagers that aims to increase their physical and nutrition knowledge and provide skills to develop healthy lifestyle habits.
Wilfrid Laurier University
The grant to Wilfrid Laurier University is for the JumpStart program.
Jumpstart is an outreach program designed to bridge the information gap regarding high school and post-secondary options for youth.
Woolwich Counselling Centre
The grant to Woolwich Counselling Centre is for Preventative Mental Health Youth Programs and Services at the Elmira District Secondary High School.
This program provides innovative preventative counselling programs in the Elmira high school. Elmira youth benefit by developing/learning new skills to improve mental health and overall well-being.
YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo
The grant to YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo is for the Community Sheroes program.
Community Sheroes is a mentorship program focused on supportive relationships, leadership development and becoming changemaking agents in their local community.
Community Sheroes is a mentorship and social justice program that connects at-risk girls (grade 8 through 12) with women in the community (18+) who are community leaders and social change agents.