Tucker House’s mission to inspire sustainable living
On Saturday, August 12, Tucker House Renewal Centre in Rockland welcomed the community to its open house and a ceremony celebrating youth and environmental programming. The initiatives focus on local environmental education, youth development, and local history animation.
Kristine Veaudry, board chair of Tucker House, explained that Tucker House’s mission is to inspire sustainable living through on-site programs at the learning centre. Staff and youth volunteers were on hand to showcase their garden additions and an educational history mystery. Veaudry read a message of congratulations from Grant Crack - MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, on Tucker House’s receipt of a $49,500 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), and two Ontario150 community grants with a combined total of $13,000. “I am very pleased to support the Tucker House and the great work that they do in the community by protecting and promoting the environment”, said his note.
Tucker House youth staff members spoke about recent youth-led projects, including the Tucker House History Mystery, an interactive way to engage the community in learning about local history. Funded by the Province of Ontario through an Ontario150 Community Celebration grant, the program celebrates 150 years of inclusion, innovation, and opportunity in Ontario.
Additional funding from the Ontario150 Partnership Program helped with the “Growing Community” youth-led expansion of an on-site learning and meditation garden, which will result in added spaces for learning and reflection for children and youth.
he OTF Seed grant has enabled Tucker House to undertake extensive stakeholder engagement and development work for offering high-quality environmental education for francophone children and youth in Prescott-Russell, with new opportunities for local outdoor learning.
“Maison Tucker House is pleased to offer expanded programs to the Prescott-Russell and National Capital regions and forge closer connections with local francophone partners with help from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, said Diana Brushey, Tucker House executive director. In addition to OTF’s support, funding from the Province of Ontario and Ontario150 provides meaningful and engaging opportunities for local and regional children and youth to learn, share, and grow.”
Tucker House Renewal Centre is a charitable and privately owned retreat and environmental learning centre that promotes sustainable living.
This 30-acre facility is located in Rockland. Programs for the local and wider community include environmental education for new teachers, outdoor summer camps, an annual Green Gala fundraising event this November 4, a seed-saving garden, a rental retreat centre, and much more. Visit www.mai- sontuckerhouse.ca for more information.
An agency of the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, is one of Canada’s largest granting foundations. With a budget of over $136 million, OTF awards grants to some 1,000 projects every year to build healthy and vibrant Ontario communities. www.otf.ca