CONTACT Community Services Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant

ALLISTON, ON – On Friday, Brian Saunderson, MPP and the Hon. Caroline Mulroney, MPP were at CONTACT Community Services to celebrate the launch of a new website, as well as the milestones achieved thanks to having received a $150,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2022. OTF developed this grant program in 2020 to help non-profit organizations across the province to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.  

“CONTACT has established a reputation over 40 years as a proactive not-for-profit leader in the South Simcoe region that provides responsive social services in housing, employment, and community supports to local residents in need,” said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “This Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will allow CONTACT to expand its capacity to meet the increasing needs of our communities as we continue to grow.”  

Thanks to the OTF grant, CONTACT Community Services was able to support COVID-19 recovery with the hiring of two new positions. Brenda Pufek, who’s role has been to focus on development and digital engagement, has overseen the restructuring of CONTACT’s website and community outreach to enhance community engagement and fundraising initiatives.  

“Our provincial government is thrilled to recognize CONTACT and the critical services and programs they provide vulnerable residents in our community, when they need it,” said Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York-Simcoe. “The OTF fund grant they received helped build the foundation for a better digital experience with an easy-to-navigate new website, making access to their services especially easier for rural and remote communities.”  

The second position funded by the grant, Manager of Volunteer Resources, was initiated to develop new volunteer opportunities for local communities, maximizing technology, complimented by the development of a Volunteer Onboarding package for its volunteer contingent that includes over 80 local community members. In addition, CONTACT was able to work with consultant Thomas Appleyard to review, assess and upgrade Health and Safety policies and procedures at all four locations. Areas of expansion for employee mental health were also identified to support the resilience of staff and volunteers as it returns to a ‘new’ normal. 

“The creation of our updated, user-friendly website will ensure our quality services match an equally professional, warm and engaging online presence,” stated Emily McIntosh, Executive Director. 

“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Valerie Ellis, Board Chair of CONTACT Community Services. “This grant has allowed us to move forward from the pandemic with a strong foothold to the future. We are very well positioned to support our staff and volunteers as they support people in need in our community- a need that only continues to grow”. 

About CONTACT: CONTACT Community Services is a registered charity with a 44-year history of taking a proactive approach to addressing changing social needs. As a social service agency with multiple locations in South Simcoe, our programs meet the needs of over 4,000 families, adults, seniors, and youth from all cultural, social, and economic backgrounds every year. We provide support to some of South Simcoe’s most vulnerable residents by helping them access the vital services including housing supports, employment services, community engagement programs, and access to gently used clothing and household items at ‘The Clothes Line’ thrift stores in Alliston and Bradford West Gwillimbury.  

About the Ontario Trillium Foundation: The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $110M was invested into 1,022 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. Visit otf.ca to learn more.