On these cool autumn mornings, as I see parents and children on the way to school, I find myself reflecting on how important it is to support children and teens, both in school and in the community. At the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we have the proud distinction of being a leading funder in the area of not-for-profit organizations for youth programs and services. One out of every three of our grants supports children, youth and their families.

On June 20, the Ontario Trillium Foundation welcomed the province’s Junior and Senior Spelling Bee Champions, an Ontario hurdling champion and some very promising young gymnasts to celebrate a special announcement. We were also fortunate to have both the Hon. Caroline Di Cocco, Minister of Culture, and the Hon. Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of Children and Youth Services, to share the good news.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation Board of Directors welcomes three new members, Brian Hutchings of Niagara, Janet Passmore of Bright (southwest of Kitchener-Waterloo), and Nalini Stewart of Toronto, who were appointed to the Board by the provincial government at the end of June.

Community organizations seeking small capital grants from our Foundation will now find it easier to apply. Thanks to the Simplified Application Process for Small Capital Grants, applicants seeking up to a maximum of $15,000 in capital funding can use a shorter application form with fewer required attachments.

Committed to building positive experiences for children, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Toronto and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto have established a partnership to create a science-based program for youth. Through six Robot-Building Workshops, taking place over the next two years, 600 Toronto youth aged 10 to 14 will have the opportunity to be inspired by science and technology.

The Peel Environmental Youth Alliance (PEYA) is preparing today’s youth to inherit the earth.

With a grant of $215,500 over three years from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), the organization is giving high-school students who care about the environment a way to connect, share information and take action on environmental issues in their own communities. In turn, these young people are carrying the message to fellow students across the entire region, raising awareness and encouraging others to initiate stewardship of the environment.

At a time in life when young people should be preoccupied with sports and grades or maybe learning to drive a car, many are trying to cope with difficult issues. Unfortunately, depression and mental health concerns are prevalent among youth in Ontario today. Tragically, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 10-to-19-year-olds in Canada. On the bright side, thanks to a group of caring and involved youth, mental health professional mentors and a grant of $266,600 over two years from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), help is available. For young people struggling with these challenges, that help is a close as the nearest computer.

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