Empowering your community

The summer Youth Co-op Program creates opportunities for teens to serve the community by forming a co-op. With support from two facilitators, youth cold call prospective clients and negotiate contracts to offer affordable services like grass cutting, painting, shopping for seniors, and more. This program helps youth develop the confidence and skills they need to be successful. After postponing programming during the pandemic, the funds will help revitalize the youth co-op to jump-start this year's summer projects. 

The Immigrant Centre in Winnipeg provides settlement services to more than 20,000 newcomers to Manitoba each year. Nutrition services offers free cooking and nutrition classes, grocery store tours and personalized nutrition consultations in all English levels. Funds support continuity of programs and services to help those new to the community achieve success.

The Codroy Valley Community Service Garden improves food security in Ktaqmkuk/Newfoundland by locally growing and giving away crops to people who need them. More than 80% of the food consumed on the island is imported. The funds will go towards building a new earth sheltered greenhouse in Codroy Valley which will help increase local food production and extend the growing season for the community of about 2000 people.

The Leamington Regional Food Hub brings together growers, farmers, Indigenous communities, volunteers, and staff to prevent food waste by processing produce when it’s freshest. Each year, the Food Hub produces 175,000 baskets of fresh produce to support 4,375,000 million people in the Leamington region as well as Northern Indigenous communities. The funds will help the food hub take an additional 1.8 million kilograms of fresh produce each year that would otherwise be destined for landfills and redirect it through the farm to food program. 

The sovereign independent Oneida Nation of the Thames is located in southwestern Ontario and is home to 2,172 residents. In partnership with The Imagine Build, the Nation is building new homes in the community. Approximately 42 families are in immediate need of housing or renovation to their existing homes to meet living standards. Funds contribute directly to building accessible and affordable homes.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland provides in-school mentoring for children in six elementary schools in the St. John area. The program matches adult mentors with children identified by teachers and counsellors who would most benefit from a mentoring relationship. Mentors provide encouragement and foster improved self-esteem and confidence through shared interests. Funds help train and support in-school mentors and also provides supplies for a variety of engagement-building activities.

The Smithers Skate Park Society is doubling the size of the region’s skate park to bring affordable, easily accessibly forms of recreation to more people. Skate parks unite people of all ages and abilities. The expansion of this all-wheels skate park brings many health and social benefits and will increase activity at other recreation facilities located near the park.

A tiny home solution launched to address homelessness in Fredericton seeks to build 96 micro homes as part of a community building project. The 12 Neighbours Community not-for-profit also plans to build a social enterprise centre to provide additional services and employment opportunities. The award will contribute to the overall project goals

The Earl Grey Community Hall serves the Village of Earl Grey and surrounding communities. The hall is a popular venue for bridal and baby showers, weddings, funerals, drama productions, bingo, craft sales, Remembrance Day services, and fitness and recreational activities. Funds goes toward the purchase and installation of a new furnace and ensures a comfortable year-round space for all community members.

The Foothills Society seeks to increase awareness of Indigenous culture, celebrations and teachings among non-Indigenous locals by hosting events within the community. The society is a compilation of members from the O’Chiese and Sunchild First Nations who plan to hold a pow wow and round dance at the Rocky Mountain House National Historic site. The funds will be used for pop-up tents, portable toilets, bleachers and honorariums for elders.

The Brandon Urban Aboriginal People’s Council organized the inaugural Truth and Reconciliation Week at the Riverbank Discover Centre on the Assiniboine River. Open to the general public, the free five-day event garnered significant interest and participation from citizens in 2021. Award funds will help cover the cost of the All Nations Sharing Circle, maintenance of the sacred fire and contribute to the closing ceremony feast for this powerful and important community event.

The Okanagan Regional Library Revelstoke branch is expanding. This free indoor public venue is a hub for about 5000 people per month, including newcomers to the community. The new Reading Room and Tech Lab will help the library expand its science, technology, engineering, art and math resources and programming.

The Birtle and District Community Centre is home to many community events. Replacing hundreds of fluorescent lights with LEDs in the arena and throughout the building will increase energy efficiency and reduce costs for running the facility.

The Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation treats people of every age in both official languages. This one-of-a-kind Bikes n Trikes program helps children with complex disabilities adapt and take how a bike suited to their needs. With a bike or trike of their own, these kids experience more independence and leisure opportunities. Funds help families get the proper professional consultation they need to customize a bike or trike for their child.