Ontario Supports Kayla’s Children Centre in Thornhill with $600,000

September 8, 2025

OTF Grow grants help organizations like Kayla’s Children Centre expand the reach of programs and services already making a positive impact.

THORNHILL ― The Ontario government is providing Kayla’s Children Centre (KCC) with $600,000 in funding over the next three years to expand programming, enabling teens of all abilities to develop skills that optimize their future independence and success as adults. The funding is being provided through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Grow grant stream.

“This investment is about more than just dollars, it’s about empowering our youth to reach their full potential,” said Laura Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thornhill. “This funding will enable KCC to expand its programs, reach more families, and create more opportunities to improve lives right here in Thornhill. KCC has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to supporting our youth, and I’m confident their new Young Adult Healthy Living Centre will continue that legacy and serve as a valuable resource for our community for years to come.”

“In Thornhill and all across Ontario, non-profits are delivering critical services that enable people to train for new careers, stay active, learn new things, and connect with their community,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “This investment helps ensure local non-profit groups can build on their successes and expand in ways that benefit communities across the province.”

OTF Grow grants help non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities and small municipalities across the province expand the reach of programs and services that are already making a positive impact – helping even more people in more communities like Thornhill. Applicants can apply for funding of $100,000 to $600,000 over two or three years to expand, improve or adapt an existing program or service.

“Our new Young Adult Healthy Living Centre includes a spacious apartment and fitness centre where young adults with disabilities can learn to cook, clean, learn self-care, exercise, and socialize. This space will prepare participants for independent or semi-independent living and equip them with pre-vocational skills to increase their chances of future employability. As our participants mature, our centre must evolve to meet their needs. This new space offers age-appropriate programming for young adults that will significantly improve their outcomes in the future. We are so grateful for the OTF grant for helping to make this possible!”
-Yaffi Scheinberg
Chief Executive Officer
Kayla’s Children Centre

QUICK FACTS

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. Its mandate is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of the province’s non-profit sector. OTF administers funding programs that enrich lives through arts, culture and heritage, support development of children and youth, and provide for the economic well-being of all Ontarians.
Since 2018, over $763 million has been invested in more than 7,000 projects, creating more than 9,400 full time jobs and generating more than $1.1 billion in economic benefits to communities across Ontario.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario

MEDIA CONTACTS
Micah Dodo
Micah.dodo@pc.ola.org