More provincial funding is helping to support children and youth across Ontario.
The provincial government is putting $13.5 million from the Youth Opportunities Fund towards 38 youth-focused grassroots project to help families develop new skills, overcome social and economic barriers, and navigate community services.
Among the organizations in southwestern Ontario to receive funding is Beauty is Me, which has been given $255,000 over three years to support Black families engaged with child welfare services in Chatham-Kent, Essex, and Lambton County.
The Christie Refugee Welcome Centre, based in Toronto, has been awarded $237,700 over two years to enhance access to the immigration system for unaccompanied or separated Black and racialized youth in Essex, Chatham-Kent, and Lambton County as they navigate legal immigration proceedings.
“This funding helps local projects led by youth and families who share the same lived experiences of those benefitting from the work to improve the social and economic wellbeing of our community members,” said Katharine Bambrick, CEO of the Ontario Trillium Foundation in a news release.
Applications for the 2024 Youth Opportunities Fund will open later this spring.
