Ontario Trillium Foundation Invests $500,000 in the YMCA of Oakville’s
Priority Neighbourhoods and Youth Engagement Initiatives

Earlier this year, the YMCA of Oakville received two Grow grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), each valued at $250,000 to help the YMCA build on its Priority Neighbourhoods Project and develop new youth leadership programs as part of the Youth Engagement Initiative. On Wednesday, local MPPs Kevin Flynn and Indira Naidoo-Harris, along with OTF volunteer Mark Emmanuel, met with members of the YMCA at St. John Elementary School to see one of the initiatives in action.

“Investing in our children and youth so that they can develop into their greatest potential is one of the most important investments we can make. Thanks to two grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the YMCA of Oakville will be able to offer programs for young people in our community—especially those facing barriers—to develop strong social, emotional, and leadership skills. We are fortunate in our community to have organizations like the YMCA that offer such inclusive programming so that everyone has an opportunity to succeed.” — Kevin Flynn, MPP for Oakville

“These grants will help more Oakville children and youth develop life skills that will put them on a path to success. I am glad these important YMCA programs are getting support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This is great news for families in priority neighbourhoods and Oakville as a whole.” — Indira Naidoo-Harris, MPP for Halton

The Priority Neighbourhoods Project, a community initiative that began in 2012 with an initial grant pn_photographyfrom the
Ontario Trillium Foundation, provides free, accessible programs to children, teens and young adults in four
identified priority neighbourhoods in Oakville: Kerr Village, Dorval community, Clearview community and 6th
Line and Elm Road area.  Since it began, the Priority Neighbourhoods Project has offered 33 new programs
focusing on physical fitness and the arts, reaching a total of 2,286 children, youth and families in the identified
priority neighbourhoods.

Now with the new OTF grant, the project will help the YMCA continue to meet changing needs and offer free and accessible programs for more people in Oakville.

The second OTF grant for the YMCA’s Youth Engagement Initiative will provide more experiences for children,
teens and young adults that promote healthy, active living, build assets, strengthen neighbourhood supports and
build capacity for a healthier, stronger and more vibrant Oakville. It will help the YMCA identify, engage and help
at promise youth to reach their full potential through proven curricula of leadership training, skills development,
employee readiness and opportunities to be mentored, volunteer and participate in decision-making.

“This is very exciting news for our YMCA. With the support of partners like the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we’ll ensure that our youngest community members are able to gain access to programs and services that will help them reach their full potential and become future community leaders,” said Kyle Barber, President and CEO, YMCA of Oakville.

For more information on the Priority Neighbourhoods Project or Youth Engagement Initiative, contact Teresa Rinaldi, Manager Community Initiatives at [email protected] or call 905-845-5597, ext. 226.