Foundation distributed $1.36 million in community
The year 2020 has been a difficult one, but the people behind the Windsoressex Community Foundation is proud to have continued to organize charitable giving across the city and the region.
At the WECF'S 35th annual general meeting on Tuesday, the foundation celebrated the distribution of $1.36 million in grants in Windsor-essex this year.
“It has been an exceptional year — a remarkable year, all the way around,” said board chair Tom Touralias.
“We wish we had more money, but we try to be as judicious as possible.”
Since 1983, the WECF has been dedicated to improving the community through collaboration, strategic leadership, and innovative solutions to charitable giving.
As of 2020, the foundation has accumulated more than $19 million in total assets, and has granted more than $9.5 million to a wide variety of local causes.
For example, the WECF'S Community Impact Program provides funding boosts to projects, groups or initiatives that tackle specific issues and have “a lasting impact on the Windsor and Essex community.”
In November 2019, the WECF'S Community Impact Program gave $36,000 to seven organizations ranging from the John Mcgivney Children's Centre to the Windsor-essex Therapeutic Riding Association.
Scholarship funds have always been important to the WECF. Over the past year, a total of $16,500 was awarded to 11 high school students entering post-secondary studies.
Meanwhile, the WECF'S Inspiration 100 fund — maintained through the generosity of 100 local philanthropists — handed out a total of $40,000 to five area charities.
Three new funds were created by the WECF this year: The Shawne Boxe Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Kolody Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Joel W. Jones Family Scholarship Fund.
Along with the reviewing the past year, the WECF announced new recipients of community impact grants on Tuesday.
Five groups are receiving $10,000 each: The Youth Connection Association for Academic Excellence, which helps vulnerable black youths; Childcan, a childhood cancer research association; the Migrant Worker Community Program; the South Essex Arts Association, which promotes art education in the Leamington area; and Ronald Mcdonald House Windsor, which helps seriously ill children and their families.
Martin Varela, chair of the Migrant Worker Community Program, said the WECF'S support will be used to continue efforts to overcome cultural and language barriers between migrant workers and the larger community of the Leamington and Kingsville area.
“This time, it's a crucial time,” Varela said, pointing to the challenges of communicating COVID-19 information and mitigation practices. “We really appreciate this opportunity, and are very thankful for this.”