Kajal Pawar
Ontario announced a $13 million investment to support the 2020 Youth Opportunities Fund on June 25.
The province-wide initiative will focus on the economic and social welfare of children, youth and families by supporting 43 community organizations, according to the news release.
“It is our responsibility as government to support our young people and help them find a path to lifelong success,” Ford said in the news release.
The funding will assist youth with developing skills they can use in a school setting, empower young girls to take on leadership roles, bring attention to racism and discrimination, and provide programs to help Ontario’s young people become the next generation of community builders, he said.
The Black Moms Connection, Immigrants francophones d’Afrique pour l’intégration et le développement (IFAPID), Earthling Art Collective and Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training are four highlighted community projects to receive funding this year.
The Black Moms Connection focuses on the “financial well-being” of Black mothers and their family, according to their website.
“By increasing financial literacy for Black mothers and their families, it can change where they live, how they raise their kids, where they work and more. The impact will have a positive ripple effect for generations to come,” said Tanya Hayles, founder of Black Moms Connection in the Ontario in a news release.
YOF grants are operated by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and prioritizes collaborative projects by Black or Indigenous-led community organizations.
“These grassroots organizations are making a real impact in their communities and supporting our next generation of leaders. We will continue to remove the barriers to success for our young people,” said Ford in a video he shared on his Twitter page.
The YOF includes three granting streams that focus on providing support to different groups in need.
Youth innovations provides resources for youth. Family Innovations focuses on community-driven and socially relevant projects for parents and guardians. System Innovations work towards strengthening the quality and responsiveness of support organizations, according to the news release.
“By believing in our youth and supporting them today, we can help develop the knowledge and skills they need to reach their full potential,” said Jill Dunlop, associate minister of children and women’s issues in the news release.