Resilient Communities Fund Supports People Living With Cancer in Halton/Peel Region
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, the Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation hosted its volunteer appreciation event to recognize the contributions of its dedicated volunteers. At the event, the Foundation also recognized $103,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant they received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation which has helped Wellspring better support people living with cancer in the Halton-Peel region.
“I am very proud of the work the Ontario government is doing to help Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation and the individuals they serve,” said Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North-Burlington. “The $103,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant will enable Wellspring to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 by implementing a new virtual platform and fundraising strategy. This support will enhance their ability to provide vital assistance to people living with cancer in Halton-Peel. We are committed to supporting organizations like Wellspring and ensuring they have the resources they need to make a profound difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.”
Specifically, the $103,300 grant is providing the following organizational improvements:
- Develop a virtual platform implementation plan to connect and support people living with cancer in Halton-Peel
- The recruitment of an expert to develop and implement a digital fundraising plan that includes a growth strategy for corporate partnerships.
- An expanded and re-imagined program roster to accommodate double the capacity of members served.
- The recruitment and training of volunteers and staff on new processes through the enhanced program delivery platform.
Many new volunteers were welcomed to the Wellspring Oakville community at the event, while others were recognized and celebrated for their many years of service.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Christina Smith, Wellspring CEO. “So many in this community will benefit by ensuring our services remains available to all in need when they need them. The pandemic significantly impacted those in the community with cancer through delayed screenings and treatments. More individuals with greater and more complex needs turned to Wellspring for help. It also greatly impacted our important volunteer community, which we rely on to help run our programs and services. The grant has allowed us to make many improvements and efficiencies regarding access to our programs for years to come.”
Wellspring’s Birmingham Gilgan House, located in Oakville, provides programs that help people living with cancer overcome the many emotional, physical, and practical challenges that often come with a cancer diagnosis. The Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is helping Wellspring recover from the impacts of COVID-19 on the organization, its volunteer base, and the vulnerable individuals it serves.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, celebrates 40 years of grantmaking in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
