$132,900 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant makes an impact with Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, MPP Laurie Scott met with staff and volunteers of Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes to hear from the group about the impact of the two-year, $132,900 Resilient Communities Fund grant that it received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation in early 2023. Funds from the grant were used to hire a contract Volunteer Coordinator. MPP Scott met with the group at Vicky’s Values Thrift Boutique on Mary Street in Lindsay, where the majority of their volunteers work.

“Our government is pleased to support incredible organizations like Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes financially through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Resilient Communities Fund,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “These funds were used to hire a Volunteer Coordinator a positive step to aid in recruiting new volunteers specifically at Vicky’s Values. This location’s annual sales support programs and services for Women’s Resources.”

Volunteer Coordinator Keara Pagniello, hired as a result of this grant, has accomplished many things during the time she has been at Women’s Resources. These include onboarding 43 new volunteers bringing the total to 126; the creation of a new online volunteer application; development of bi-annual volunteer training sessions; and the adaptation of a new volunteer database along with a bi-monthly newsletter. All of these achievements have been well received and appreciated over the 18-months Keara has been with the agency and it is anticipated that in the next six months, among other things, Keara will organize a festive gathering for the volunteers during the holiday season and will plan a volunteer recognition event for April.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more