$91,400 OTF Grant Brings a Shining Light to Clarico Place

Concord, ON – On Friday, MPP Laura Smith met with the team at Clarico Place of York Region to hear from them about the difference that a $91,400 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) will have over the coming year. Funds from the grant, awarded this spring, are being used to deliver mental health initiatives for staff, families, participants and community partners. The project will wrap up in June 2024 and will give people in the community improved access to programs and events at the Centre for years to come.

“We support our nonprofits, because they support us, and with Clarico Place, that support can make all the difference for their participants,” said MPP Laura Smith, Thornhill. “Congratulations to Clarico Place on receiving this $91,400 Resilient Communities Fund Grant, and a special shout out to the staff and volunteers for their unending hard work and dedication.” 

Joining MPP Smith and Clarico Place’s Executive Director Megan Thomas at the event were Logan Kanapathi, MPP and Parliamentary Assistant for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Mayor Steven Del Duca and Cecile Hammond, Deputy Chief of York Regional Police. In addition to helping rebuild the organization through the creation and implementation of a strategic plan and new mental health initiatives, the OTF grant will enable Clarico Place to conduct focus groups with its community partners to help with the needs and impact COVID-19 has had on them as well.

“Clarico Place of York Region is integral to the lives of our participants, their families, and the residents of York Region,” said Brian Presement, Chair of the Board of Directors. “This OTF grant strengthens our ability to assist our participants in their daily lives.”

“We are so thankful to the OTF for their support at a time when it is needed most,” said Megan Thomas, Executive Director. “The last two years have been extremely difficult, but this new initiative will help our organization to once again flourish and be a pilar within our community.”

For almost three decades, Clarico Place of York Region has been a day program for adults with developmental disabilities, which for our participants, has served as a safe place and home away from home where they can truly shine. For more information, please visit their website at www.clarioplace.com

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.