TORONTO, ON (September 20, 2021) – Late last year, Covenant House Toronto learned that it was the recipient of an $86,100 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The grant is helping the agency’s volunteer and mentorship program virtually connect with youth and deliver a wide variety of beneficial activities.
“This investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation in Covenant House’s volunteer and mentorship program is great news for youth in need of guidance, friendship and support from volunteers during a very challenging period of their lives,” said Suze Morrison, MPP for Toronto Centre. “There are many in the community who will benefit from this grant.”
The $86,100 OTF grant enables Covenant House to ensure youth who are homeless or trafficked have as many options as possible to connect with volunteers. The granted funds will also be directed towards training workshops for volunteers covering topics such as de-escalation, LGBTQ2S+ and anti-black racism.
"The impact of this grant cannot be underestimated,” said Mark Aston, Executive Director of Covenant House. “We are so grateful for OTF’s support because it allows us to make vital connections between our incredible group of volunteers and the youth we serve, helping them recover from the impacts of the pandemic.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, they offer the widest range of 24-7 services to more than 300 young people each day. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.
For more information, please contact:
Michael Sheiner
Associate Manager, Public Relations
Covenant House Toronto
msheiner@covenanthouse.ca