www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 15, 2016 | 8 OCF awards $126K to programs across community by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff The Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) announced last Friday (April 8), it would be directing more than $120,600 towards special projects intended to help those in need in the community. The registered charity, which directs funds donated by philanthropic families and organizations towards helping build a vital community, noted funds were made available on the condition local organizations worked together on projects to combat local issues. "We know the importance of collaboration, and never more so in the charitable sector," said Wendy Rinella, Oakville Community Foundation CEO. "There is a great deal of duplication of services, and yet funding dollars are stretched, so, with the encouragement to charities to collaborate with the potential of greater funding, we wanted them to feel they could reach for the stars. They did and we're very excited by these projects." Rinella noted the projects, which were approved for the funding, address one or more of the core issues identified in the foundation's 2015 Vital Signs report, such as wage equity, affordable housing, inclusion and diversity, and mental health-related issues. Halton Women's Place (HWP) and the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) received $15,000 for its project, Mental Health Collaborative. This project will provide direct services to Wendy Rinella children and youths who present mental health conditions while staying at a HWP shelter. The grant will allow HWP to hire a ROCK liaison to work with shelter staff and clients weekly. "Halton Women's Place is excited to announce this collaboration with ROCK and thanks the (Oakville Community) Foundation for the support," said Diane Beaulieu, HWP executive director, in a press release. "This partnership will bring children's mental health to the forefront and offer help to children and their mothers while they reside in Interlocking & Concrete Specialists · Pebble Concrete · Stamped Concrete · Interlocking · Flagstone · Walkways · Garage Floors · Patios · Driveways · Curbs (French) our shelters." The Children's Aid Foundation of Halton, the Halton Children's Aid Society and Halton Region will receive $20,000 for its project, Bridging the Gap. Halton Children's Aid Society Youth Supervisor Steve Levac said the donation means more youths facing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness will be able to have a roof over their head as the fund will pay allowances for host homes. It will also give these individuals the opportunity to learn supportive, life-building skills and receive basic life necessities. Kerr Street Mission (KSM) and T.A. Blakelock, White Oaks, and Iroquois Ridge high schools received $30,181 for its project, Cadence. It will offer an alternative/supplementary education module with three area high schools for youths at risk of not completing their high school diploma. The intent of the project is to help them reconnect with school through an alternative learning environment. "We are excited to be able to partner with the school board and local schools to bring Cadence to Oakville," said Gary O'Neill, KSM executive director. "It is a proven program that has helped students reconnect and find success with their see Funds on p.26 Spring Special Call Mario 905.842.7171 sunmarlandscape.com Save % 24 YEARS of Business Excellence Lowest Prices of the Save upto Yearsale 5 % Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba May 11 & 13, 2016 7 Nights All Inclusive $ Memories Paraiso Azul Beach Resort HHHHPLUS + $380 taxes (SWG) 395 Varadero, Cuba Jun 25 & 26, 2016 7 Nights All Inclusive $ Grand Memories Varadero HHHHPLUS Riu Bambu HHHHH Punta Cana, D.R. 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