MPP Byers Announces Funding for Community Organization Facilities

Investments for upgrades and repairs to facilities will ensure continued access to vital services in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

December 8, 2022

OWEN SOUND — The Ontario government is investing $61,100 in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound for upgrades and repairs in local community organization facilities throughout the riding. This funding is part of the government’s $12.2 million investment in 122 community organizations across the province to ensure they can maintain and improve the facilities that provide important programs and services to Ontarians with developmental disabilities, women and children escaping domestic violence, Indigenous people, children with special needs and mental health needs and many others.

“Our government is investing in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound’s community organizations to ensure people can continue to access to the high-quality programs and services our agencies provide,” said MPP Rick Byers. “We want staff to have safe, comfortable spaces to focus on the people accessing services so that clients can benefit from the services they need.”

The following community organizations are receiving funding:

  • $  8,600 – Community Living Walkerton & District, Hanover – renovate porch, ramp and stairs
  • $10,400 – Community Living Meaford, Meaford – replace basement carpet
  • $  9,800 – South-East Grey Support Services, Markdale – renovate walls, breezeway and shutters
  • $  3,700 – South-East Grey Support Services, Flesherton – install exterior doors and security camera
  • $13,000 – The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce, Owen Sound – extend driveway paving for additional parking
  • $15,600 – Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey, Wiarton – replace ductless A/C units

“Improving and maintaining our community organizations is an important part of delivering the high-quality programs and services Ontarians need,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “These investments are another example of how we are building Ontario and helping our most vulnerable stay connected to their communities.”

Organizations will use the funding to address essential maintenance and infrastructure repairs such as upgrading accessibility ramps and lifts, installing security systems and retrofitting kitchen and washroom spaces.

These projects will help ensure the maintenance and upkeep of community organizations such as shelters for women and children who are fleeing situations of violence and abuse, homes that provide daily support for individuals with developmental disabilities, facilities for victims of human trafficking and facilities for children and youth with special needs.

QUOTES

“Thank you for the great news of some funding under the Partner Facility Renewal program in Ontario for our agency, South-East Grey Support Services. As a non-profit charitable organization focussed on providing individualized supports to over 100 adults with a Developmental Disability, we are very appreciative of you and your government’s support of our agency and services. Regular maintenance and upgrades to our agency homes for people we support and our offices is very important as this can avoid more costly expenditures in the future. We are grateful for your continued support.”

Maurice Voisin BSW, MSW, Executive Director – South-East Grey Support Services

“The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce is so thankful to be receiving $13,000 in Partner Facility Renewal funding to go towards the cost of widening the driveway and creating additional parking spots at our Violence Against Women Emergency Shelter. We have new programs that we offer that has increased both the number of clients that we see on a daily basis as well as the need to increase space for staff and visitor parking. This grant is very much appreciated.”

Heather Sheldrick, Executive Director – The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce

QUICK FACTS

  • Community organizations deliver vital programs related to anti-human trafficking, autism, child welfare, children’s mental health, children’s treatment centres, development services, child development, Indigenous health and wellness, interpreter and intervenor services, violence against women and youth justice services.
  • There are more than 69,000 adults eligible for developmental services in Ontario and more than 19,000 received residential supports in communities across the province in 2021-22.
  • In 2020-21, 54,300 children and youth received community-based rehabilitation services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language pathology and more than 73,100 students received School-based Rehabilitation Services in publicly funded schools from Children’s Treatment Centres.
  • Ontario’s emergency women’s shelters serve more than 15,000 women and dependents yearly.