Trinity donates $156,000 through its partnership with WRCF

At the end of May, Trinity United Church’s Supportive Housing Committee, consisting of Cathy Baer, Mark Breathwaite, Janet Howitt, Dave Rutherford and Mac Summers, (Diane Vandeberg was vacationing and was unable to attend) met to determine this year’s granting. An invitation was extended to members of ROTO (Reaching out to Others) and Ann Furlotte, Linda Davis, Shelley Steele and Sue Hummel were able to attend. Through our partnership with the Waterloo Region Community Foundation, Trinity granted $156,000 to the following organizations:

$30,000 to Community Healthcaring KW for their activity, “From Plate to Participation: Engaging Communities Through Food, Learning, Social Connection and Community Health Education”. This activity will collect surplus food through donation partnerships, expand community gardens, and deliver community food education sessions for families, newcomers, unhoused people and those who experience food insecurity and mental health challenges. Funds will hire a staff to coordinate food donations, support food recovery, expand gardens, and provide program workshops. The impact will be a 30% increase in recovered food, a 50% increase in group participation, improved food literacy, stronger social connections, and greater confidence to grow/prepare affordable meals.
$30,000 to the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region for their activity, “Community Care for Survivors of Sexual Violence and Human Trafficking”. This activity will offer free, trauma-informed support groups, both in person and online, for survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking in Waterloo Region. Funds will support a part-time Groups Coordinator, trained facilitators, peer leader honorariums, and accessible group materials. The impact will be survivors feeling less alone, building supportive connections, and gaining tools for healing, while strengthening community networks that help survivors feel safer, supported and more connected.
$30,000 to Tiny Home Takeout for their activity, “Ongoing ability to continue serving our guests and community”. This activity allows Tiny Home Takeout to consistently address the growth of food insecurity for their guests five evenings a week. In the winter, they serve about 180-220 individuals nightly, in the summer they serve 280-320 people nightly, along with distributions to partner programs and shelters. Funds will be dedicated to purchasing food for meal preparation and necessary packaging for serving. As a result, their guests will continue to have a safe environment where they can enjoy dinner served with dignity.
$25,000 to Community Justice Initiatives for their activity, “Stride Program”. This activity will deliver Stride Night and Stride Circles through recreational programming and reintegration support for incarcerated women and gender-diverse individuals. Funds will support basic needs during people’s transition back to the community and provide materials for programming, such as card-making activities that foster connections. The impact will be an increased sense of belonging, strengthened relationships between incarcerated folks and community supports, and enhanced community understanding, helping build safer, more supportive communities for individuals with limited existing supports.
$25,000 to COMPASS Refugee Centre Incorporated for their activity, “Courageous Welcome: Neighbours Building Belonging”. This activity will deliver a neighbourhood-based “Roadmap to Courageous Welcome” across Downtown Kitchener, Central Waterloo and Cambridge, using a three-phase approach (Educate, Eat, Extend) to bring refugee claimants and others with undetermined status together with local residents. Approximately 9 – 10 activities will be delivered over 9 months, shaped by each neighbourhood. Funds will support coordination, facilitation, interpretation, and materials. The impact will be stronger relationships, repeat participation in local spaces, and reduced isolation among participants.
$16,000 to Waterloo Region ACORN for their activity, “Renter’s Renoviction Rights: Building Resilient Tenant Communities”. This activity will conduct direct outreach and workshops on new renoviction protections for tenants in Kitchener and Waterloo. Funds will cover the salary and benefits of a community outreach worker to lead the project. The impact will be increased awareness of tenant rights, stronger bylaw enforcement, and the preservation of affordable housing by preventing bad-actors from circumventing local rules, ultimately fostering more resilient and empowered tenant communities who see the positive benefits of working collaboratively with each other.

This brings Trinity’s granting to over $1,000,000 since 2021!!

Respectfully submitted by Cathy Baer, on behalf of Trinity’s Supportive Housing Committee