OTF Recognition Event

$57,100 Grant is helping Community Living to Strengthen Essential Community Supports in Parry Sound–Muskoka

Huntsville, ON – On Wednesday, MPP Graydon Smith met with representatives from Community Living South Muskoka, Community Living Parry Sound and Community Living Huntsville to hear about the difference that a $57,100 Seed grant has made with a collaborative initiative. Since receiving the grant last fall from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), the groups have been working towards creating a stronger, more resilient future for each group, and the essential support and services they provide to local communities.

“When everyone works together toward a shared goal, great things happen,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound–Muskoka. “I’m proud of our local Community Living organizations for collaborating to provide the very best for their clients. I’m also grateful that the Ontario Trillium Foundation and our government have recognized this initiative as one worthy of support.”

MPP Smith had the chance to hear about how the OTF grant has supported a collaborative study on how to enhance service delivery through administrative efficiency. Thanks to OTF’s investment, the initiative involved the expertise of Michael Schiel, consultant and director for Invictus High Performance Ltd., who led a review of each organization’s administrative operations and needs, then recommended collaborative structures and processes that could be implemented between them.

“We are grateful for the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s support, which allowed us to collaborate with agencies that share our vision,” said Brad Horne, Executive Director of Community Living Parry Sound, on behalf of the project partners. “With the foundation’s funding, we have had the opportunity to consider innovative approaches to situate ourselves as strong, sustainable, and resilient Developmental Service providers in Parry Sound-Muskoka.”

Each independent organization is working toward a future of enhanced financial sustainability, capacity, and collaboration. They aim to develop flexible and responsive administrative operations that can adapt to an evolving political landscape. This collective effort is intended to create high-performing and thriving workplaces, ultimately leading to better services for the people and families each organization serves.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Learn more about the other Community Living organizations by visiting their websites: Community Living Huntsville, Community Living South Muskoka, and Almaguin Highlands Community Living.

Dignitaries in attendance at the OTF Recognition Event (from L-R): MPP Graydon Smith of Parry Sound-Muskoka; Suzanne Willett, Executive Director of CL Huntsville; Brad Horne, Executive Director of CL Parry Sound; Krista Haiduk-Collier, Chief Executive Officer of CL South Muskoka; and Larry Saunders, Ontario Trillium Foundation Volunteer.