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15 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,June 6,2019 theifp.ca Halton Region is making significant investments in social service and commu- nity health initiatives that positively impact the health, safety and well-be- ing of residents. On May 22, Halton re- gional council approved more than $2.6 million in funding through the Halton Region Community Invest- ment Fund (HRCIF). The funds, which are provided in one-year or multi-year grants of up to three years, support community pro- grams that address mental health; maintain housing and prevent homelessness; strengthen services to old- er adults, children and youth; improve food securi- ty; enhance safety and well- being; and support vulner- able residents. A $200,000 portion of the HRCIF has been reserved for emerging community safety and well-being initia- tives and will be allocated throughout 2019. The HRCIF has grown in both size and impact, help- ing improve the quality of life for Halton residents. Since 2012, the amount of funding has tripled to more than $2.6 million. This year, 26 new grants have been ap- proved for organizations helping Halton residents. These include a $548,854 grant to Canadian Mental Health Association to pro- vide mental health, addic- tion support and crisis in- tervention to clients living at or transitioning out of the Salvation Army Light- house Shelter; $100,669 to the Halton Children's Aid Society to implement a pi- lot project to enhance ser- vices to youth exiting the care of the child welfare system; a $72,000 grant to Halton Food for Thought to provide healthy meal cards for at-risk secondary school students; and a $117,380 grant to support Acclaim Health's work to address loneliness and iso- lation for low-income older adults. In addition to the new grants, 29 programs will continue to receive funding as part of the second or third instalment of multi- year grants awarded in 2017 and 2018. Some of these programs are showcased in Halton Region's HRCIF Impact Re- port 2018. The report, now in its second year, profiles seven community projects from 2018 that received funding and includes testi- monials from recipient or- ganizations. The impact of these HRCIF grants are an important part of what makes Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. To learn more about the HRCIF, visit halton.ca or call 311. Gary Carr is regional chair of Halton Region. His column appears the first week of each month. To contact him, email gary.carr@halton.ca. OPINION MANY BENEFITS TO REGION'S HRCIF PROGRAM CONTRIBUTES TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS, WRITES GARY CARR GARY CARR Column Prearranging your burial or cremation is the last gift you can give your family. It releases them from having to quickly make decisions in their time of grief. It also frees them from the need to pay costs associated with your cemetery arrangements. Contact one of our family counsellors to discuss your wishes and options. Owned and operated by The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of Hamilton 905-877-8500 | www.devereauxcemetery.ca A Final Gift to Your Family From Modern to Contemporary to Traditional. Product & Design That Complement Your Life. 348 Guelph St. Georgetown (Behind YoYo's, next to Cooper Standard) www.kabinetpro.com 905-702-7719 Authorized Dealer for Georgetown, On