Community Care puts government grants to work for volunteers, programs
MPP Laurie Scott and MP Jamie Schmale stopped in at the Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes (CCCKL) site to formally congratulate the organization on the work being done as a result of receiving $174,600 in grant money from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Resilient Communities Fund and the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. OTF volunteer Tom Rowden and others joined the event virtually and along with CCCKL staff, spoke to the impact of the funding.
OTF’s $149,600 Resilient Communities Fund grant was awarded last November to help CCCKL hire a volunteer coordinator to implement a new volunteer management system, involving e-learning training for virtual orientations and video production, developing a framework to measure and being able to evaluate volunteer engagement and satisfaction as a whole. The Resilient Communities Fund was designed to help non-profit groups rebound and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
“We know how important volunteers are to our community members and local organizations like Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “We have some of the most dedicated local volunteers and I’m excited to share that the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will be used to expand the volunteer program at CCCKL to recruit even more outstanding volunteers.”
CCCKL was also pleased to have received a $25,000 grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support the volunteer enrichment project. The New Horizons for Seniors Program is a federal program providing funding for projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors and their communities.
“New Horizons for Seniors is a wonderful program that assists community based programs that provide many services to seniors. These programs provide enrichment, opportunity and encouragement to stay active in their retirement years,” said Jamie Schmale, MP for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock. “I always support these applications and encourage as many organizations to apply for funding as possible. I would also like to thank these organizations for providing these services to the community. This is what makes Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock a wonderful place to live!”
Volunteers have played an essential role in delivering CCCKL’s programs and services over its 35-year history. Their contributions are mutually beneficial, according to a media release. Not only do they make a difference to the organization in meeting the needs of clients, but volunteers have expressed that they in turn experience a sense of purpose and develop meaningful connections.
“Volunteers have been the backbone of Community Care since the very beginning, and their contributions ensure we can continue to support healthy, connected communities,” said Barb Mildon, CEO, CCCKL. “We are very grateful to have received these grants to help us ensure that we are creating the best volunteer experience possible for these truly extraordinary people.”
Development of the project’s strategic plan is well underway and the new volunteer tools, processes and virtual supports are expected to be in place by February 2022.
