Grants invest in community’s future
Posted Sep 19, 2010 06:07:54 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A handful of local organizations are benefiting from corporate grants designed to develop leadership skills in youth. Libro Financial has donated more than $46,000 to four local groups as part of the credit union’s Community Builder program. The largest sum is going to Steckle Heritage Farm, which received $20,000 to build public washrooms on the homestead site.
Other recipients include the K-W Volunteer Action Centre ($15,400 for a new group established to encourage volunteering by local high school students), Waterloo Choices for Youth ($6,000 for a new project that will see youth helping local seniors with home maintenance projects) and the K-W Multicultural Centre ($5,000 for a healthy lifestyles ambassador program which will educate immigrant youth on how to eat healthy and stay active).
Krista Cressman-Buck of Steckle Heritage Farm says the installation of the public outdoor washrooms is a big step forward for the property.
“Making them available to the hundreds of kids that come through our program in the summertime to all the school groups that come through…and just making life that much easier on the farm,” she explains.
The project at Steckle Heritage Farm will involve students from nearby Conestoga College who will provide the labour while getting hands-on skills training. This project, built by youth for the benefit of youth, is in keeping with the precise spirit of the grant program.
“They learn things they can use in their career and things they will use in leading in the community in their adult lives,” notes Harry Joosten, Corporate Secretary, Libro Financial.
Joosten calls the program an investment in the future of southern Ontario because it makes the community stronger which in turn encourages people to stay while attracting newcomers. When those newcomers arrive, they’ll find strong leadership thanks to the skills youth are building today through the Community Builder program, Joosten says.
Applications are now being accepted for the Community Builder 2011 program. The deadline is March 15, 2011.
