for the love of reading
reaching full potential
the heartbeat of our community
a lifetime of learning
bringing the art gallery to the schools
keeping kids safe
a little goes a long way

Public Libraries provide affordable opportunities for social interaction and intellectual stimulation for our senior population. Book clubs and the provision of reading or listening materials to those with disabilities provide an important service to seniors hoping to "age in place" and remain vital and connected members of their community.

The Foundation grant purchased multiple copies of large print titles as well as an audio copy of each for the library's Read It Your Way Book Club. The materials will also be shared via inter-library loan with other libraries in Niagara. The Pelham Public Library's club meets monthly for lively discussion and as Joe Bouchard so aptly demonstrates, it's all for the love of reading.

Grant: Read it Your Way Book Club
Amount: $3,115
Organization: Pelham Public Library

With a grant from the Foundation, Brock University developed a pilot mentorship program providing students with what could be described as their own guidance counselor from their first days on campus to when they launch their career. The Foundation supported the final stage of the program which links senior students with alumni and professionals in their field.

MacBain Community Centre Manager Brian Bratt praised the program noting that it "provides Physical Education majors like Jackie North, whom I mentored, with an opportunity to connect with the community while giving grads like myself the chance to give something back." This grant demonstrates the Foundation's commitment to helping young people reach their full potential.

Grant: Mentorship Plus Program Pilot
Amount: $2,000
Organization: Brock University

As the recipient of a grant of $3,850, Heart Niagara is one more step towards the goal of a community in which everyone is trained in bystander CPR and has the necessary skills to help in an emergency situation.

The grant was used to distribute 165 Family and Friends CPR Anytime kits consisting of a CPR mannequin, information booklet and instructional DVD. The packages were a convenient means to train the public in CPR at an event that took place in February. The intent was for those who received the kits and initial training at the event to be able to pass along the valuable information, subsequently training three friends or family members.

The result of this initiative was a total impact of 495 individuals being exposed to CPR training, and represented a new and innovative method of training designed to reach the largest market in the most effective way.

Grant: CPR Anytime
Amount: $3,850
Organization: Heart Niagara

With the support of the Foundation, computers were purchased to setup a facility in Grimsby offering training to people over 50. By the end of the three week session, participants were able to access the Internet and to send and receive e-mail, which helped them to remain in touch with relatives and friends, even in inclement weather. The program not only upgraded skills but also reduced isolation and increased self-esteem. It also had a ripple effect as the participants could show others how to use the computer. This program continues and is self-sufficient through a modest flexible fee schedule.

Grant: Computer Coaching for the 50+ers
Amount: $4,700
Organization: Niagara West Employment & Learning Centre

With school budgets for field trips being reduced each year, the Grimsby Public Art Gallery saw a decrease in participation in their school tours and workshops taking place in their gallery. They decided that if the schools couldn't come to them, they would bring the gallery to the schools. Gallery Director Rhona Wenger used their grant from the foundation to purchase a digital projector and laptop computer in order to bring exhibitions and educational activities into schools. As a result of this grant, the gallery secured additional funding from the RBC Foundation to support its educational programs on an on-going basis. Both the Foundation's and RBC's support are helping the gallery improve the quality of education for children in our region.

Grant: Virtual Exhibitions
Amount: $3,150
Organization: Grimsby Art Gallery

"The Foundation is helping bring important safety lessons to life at The Niagara Region Children's Safety Village," says Shirley Cordiner, Administrative Director of the Village. The Village provides safety presentations by fire, police and emergency services personnel to elementary school children. Two grants facilitated the purchase of interactive teaching tools, including a battery operated car to teach road safety, and most recently, a Hazard House. This valuable teaching aid is a large model complete with operational smoke alarms and rooms that fill with smoke, to assist students to visualize the hazards contained in a typical house. 20,000 students will benefit from the delivery of these fire safety education programs, with the goal of reducing the number of injuries and deaths in our region.

Grant: Hazard House Safety
Amount: $7,000
Organization: Niagara Children's Safety Village

James Woodham benefitted from a grant given to Community Living Grimsby Lincoln West Lincoln. He suffers from cerebral palsy and knew that he qualified for thousands of dollars in disability tax credits. But he couldn't figure out how to properly apply for the money. "No one ever tells you about it," says James, 28, who works as a driver for Community Living. "It's one of those things where if you don't find out on your own, it's hard to get." He heard about a new initiative of Community Living. Funded by the Foundation it has helped dozens of people like James living with developmental disabilities. In total, they have received more than $100,000 in tax credits in the first three months of the program. A rising caseload and limited resources are making this tax work harder to do. Thanks to a $3,025 grant from the foundation, Margaret Rohan's the agency's community services director produced 200 copies of a kit which advises people and agency staff about applying for tax credits and income support. "This $3,000 investment by the foundation is going to have such a huge impact on the lives of families across Niagara."

Grant: Maximizing Resources for Families
Amount: $3,025
Organization: Community Living Grimsby Lincoln West Lincoln