Hamilton projects land $152,900 in Trillium grants

A budding project that aims to help Hamilton youth build job skills through the arts has received $75,000 in seed money from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon announced the grant for Centre (3) for Print and Media Arts’ Shift project during a news conference at the James Street North studio Tuesday.

“Bravo, because you’re really giving these young people an important start in their lives,” McMahon said.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport also announced $77,900 in Trillium funding for two Mission Services projects.

One called HOSTS, which encourages low-income youth ages 1115 to pursue post-secondary education, received $17,900.

Another $60,000 went toward hiring a coordinator to help isolated people in communities volunteer and connect with others.

Centre (3)’s Shift project is inspired by a project called Artworks, which aimed to help adults develop “soft skills” through art-based workshops.

Shift takes a page from that program but adapts for younger job seekers, said Colina Maxwell, executive director and co-founder of Centre (3).

“We don’t know how to communicate. We never learned that in school,” Maxwell said. “So we’re trying to use the arts to develop those soft skills.”

That includes creativity, teambuilding, conflict resolution and leadership skills.

Molly Crayford, a graduate of a similar Centre (3) program, said she stepped out of her comfort zone by taking part in an improv class.

“I benefited. I enjoyed it,” said Crayford, 20.

The Hamilton grants are among 90 across Ontario worth $4.5 million, McMahon noted.