Meeting our grant recipients is one of the favourite events for our club – the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium. It makes all our hard work at Ribfest and Tour de Guelph feel worthwhile as we get to hear how we are making a difference in the lives of people in the community.
This third, and last meeting, seemed very special as we heard from nine different organizations who each work with individuals with special needs – be it the homeless, those with addictions, youth at risk, or people with autism and those facing food insecurity.
A particular emphasis was on food insecurity – with funding going to help Crieff Hills Retreat Centre market its farm produce; commercial food vacuum sealers for the Food Bank so it can get more meals to people in need; supporting food at the North End Harvest Market and providing carts to transport food at Chalmers.
Still on the food theme, kitchen equipment was provided to Michael House, an organization that provides a residence for young mothers and their babies. The grant was used to provide slow cookers, blenders and air fryers to help the mothers learn and be able to provide meals for their families. Another project aimed was aimed at youth at risk, and funds were provided to fill the pantry at Wyndham House, a shelter for youth. Stonehenge Therapeutic received funds to provide fitness equipment and activities for residents at the new 10 Shelldale housing, enabling their clients to improve their health and mental health.
Action Read received funds to support and increase indigenous literacy in a safe environment, allowing participants to feel recognized and valued. Last but not least, one special visitor was a service dog in training, for Autism Dog Services. The service dogs are provided free of charge to individuals with autism. Once they are trained and turn two, they are assigned to a family. Autism Dog Services has 45 dogs, and the funding was provided to continue the training and support of the dogs and families.
What was lovely to see after the meeting is how all the organizations gathered together to talk, look at ways they can support and help each other.
Now that’s what it is all about, bringing people together to make a difference.
Our efforts count ...
Meeting our grant recipients is one of the favourite events for our club – the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium. It makes all our hard work at Ribfest and Tour de Guelph feel worthwhile as we get to hear how we are making a difference in the lives of people in the community.
This third, and last meeting, seemed very special as we heard from nine different organizations who each work with individuals with special needs – be it the homeless, those with addictions, youth at risk, or people with autism and those facing food insecurity.
A particular emphasis was on food insecurity – with funding going to help Crieff Hills Retreat Centre market its farm produce; commercial food vacuum sealers for the Food Bank so it can get more meals to people in need; supporting food at the North End Harvest Market and providing carts to transport food at Chalmers.
Still on the food theme, kitchen equipment was provided to Michael House, an organization that provides a residence for young mothers and their babies. The grant was used to provide slow cookers, blenders and air fryers to help the mothers learn and be able to provide meals for their families. Another project aimed was aimed at youth at risk, and funds were provided to fill the pantry at Wyndham House, a shelter for youth. Stonehenge Therapeutic received funds to provide fitness equipment and activities for residents at the new 10 Shelldale housing, enabling their clients to improve their health and mental health.
Action Read received funds to support and increase indigenous literacy in a safe environment, allowing participants to feel recognized and valued. Last but not least, one special visitor was a service dog in training, for Autism Dog Services. The service dogs are provided free of charge to individuals with autism. Once they are trained and turn two, they are assigned to a family. Autism Dog Services has 45 dogs, and the funding was provided to continue the training and support of the dogs and families.
What was lovely to see after the meeting is how all the organizations gathered together to talk, look at ways they can support and help each other.
Now that’s what it is all about, bringing people together to make a difference.