Rae Announces funding for Local Service Organization

[Shakespeare, ON] – Today, Matthew Rae, Member of Provincial Parliament for Perth-Wellington, announced that the Ontario government is providing the Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp & Retreat Centre with $63,300 in funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Resilient Communities Fund. This funding will help to ensure that the community has safe and ready access to critical programming, activities, and spaces.

“Hidden Acres has been a cherished local community organization providing valuable programing for over half a century,” MPP Rae said. “This is well deserved funding that has gone a long way in supporting the most vulnerable in our society and their families.”

This funding has provided Hidden Acres with the resources to develop a one-week summer life skills program, a spring and fall respite retreat, as well as adding an additional day to its weekly day program that runs throughout the year. These new and expanded programs, called LINC (Learning IN Community), will increase its capacity to support young adults and their families while increasing its resiliency and sustainability.

“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp & Retreat Centre deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure it remains at the heart of the community for decades to come.”

“The support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation through the Resilient Communities Fund grant was key to increasing our impact on the many young adults with special needs and their families in our community,” said Chris Pot, Executive Director of the camp. “This grant allows us to welcome more young adults, support more families and develop new programs that create safe and welcoming spaces where friendships can flourish, life-skills will be developed, and a lot of fun can be had.”

Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 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.