$26,500 grant from the province benefits Lori’s Place Second Stage Housing

Recently, a representative from the office of MPP Laurie Scott formally congratulated the team at the Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes on the work it’s doing as a result of receiving a $26,500 Seed grant in 2025 from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). 

The organization’s Executive Director, Penny Chatson, also spoke to the tangible results happening for women and children residing at Lori’s Place Second Stage Housing.

“Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes plays an invaluable role in supporting women and families across our community,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock. “This Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will help create a welcoming space where women and children can learn new skills, connect with one another, and access fresh, healthy food. By supporting initiatives like these, we are strengthening community connections, promoting food security, and helping build brighter futures for those who need it most.”

Lori’s Place Second Stage Housing offers six, rent-geared-to-income units for women and their children to stay for up to two years, allowing them time to rebuild their lives after fleeing abuse. It is also a program with residents receiving counselling, education and social skills training. 

The OTF grant has provided additional resources at Lori’s Place for raised garden beds, one for each of the six units so the women and children residing there can grow their own vegetables, fruit and flowers if they wish. It has named this program “Growing Together”.

“I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their ongoing generosity through the Grow grant,” said Chatson. “You are providing the women and children in our Lori’s Place program with a meaningful opportunity to experience food, from seed to table. They will take part in every step: planting, growing, harvesting, cooking and preserving. This hands-on experience will change the way they look at food in a grocery store, with a deeper understanding. Thank you for facilitating this opportunity for learning, growth, and empowerment.”

Helping to address issues of food insecurity, improving access to healthy food as well as cultivating a sense of community in a safe, secure environment, such a project would also have an impact on the residents’ mental and physical health with this long-term, sustainable initiative. An educational component would also be included with gardening instruction as well as cooking and preserving workshops on a budget through partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Making this project complete also includes a gazebo, garden furniture and gardening tools.

Women’s Resources is proud to launch “Growing Together” that will encourage the residents to become actively involved. This new gardening program, added to their other daily programs, will promote self-reliance as well as feelings of pride and accomplishment in a safe, secure environment.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects.

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.