Abilities in Motion

MEDIA RELEASE – October 24, 2022

$14,700 Grant Enabled Abilities in Motion to keep delivering programs

Alliston, ON – Today, local MPP Brian Saunderson joined a virtual meeting with Abilities in Motion (AIM) to hear how a $14,700 Community Building Fund grant from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has helpedexpand AIM’s message and services to adaptive paddlers in Central Ontario. One of the key results of the grant was that AIM was able to waive all membership/paddle fees this season, so that everyone could have a safe and fun opportunity to paddle on the water.

left, Debora Bloom Hall, Simcoe-Grey Grant Review Team Ontario Trillium , middle, Gwen Willmott, Treasurer Abilities In Motion, right, Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe Grey

“It is a pleasure to congratulate and recognize Abilities in Motion on the work its done since receiving its Community Building Fund grant for $14,700,” said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “This grant has been recognition by this Government of the important work AIM does in Alliston and London, promoting and developing safe and inclusive paddle sports through adaptive programs and instruction.”

The grant also helped with AIM’s key operating costs. AIM provides instructors, adaptive paddle equipment and volunteers for its clients, and its services are provided to the general community and clients from social services agencies across the region due to the specialized support it provides for adaptive paddlers. Thanks to this grant, AIM was able to keep delivering fun programs and the specialized support needed by the people it serves.

“The Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is a key component in funding the services we provide,” said Andy Owens, Alliston Program Manager AIM. “It’s thanks to organizations like the OTF and our local politicians that continue to support us, that we are able to continue serving our communities in a meaningful way.”

Abilities In Motion, is a registered charity that believes everyone has a right to access activity on their terms. Inclusion is a practice that allows individuals to participate to their ability. Our mission is to reach out to our community and break the barriers of accessibility for on-water recreational activities. For more information, please visit https://www.abilitiesinmotion.ca/.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, 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. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit
organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more. 

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Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:

Gwen Willmott, Treasurer
Abilities In Motion
647-293-1154
Treasurer@abilitiesinmotion.ca