OTF Grant Receiving Recognition Event
Provincial grant lights up hope for families with special needs
04/02/2024
(l-r): MPP Logan Kanapthi, Gifted People Services executive director Dianna Jiang, and OTF member Janice McGurran
The team at Gifted People Service were ecstatic with the recent announcement of its $135,500 capital grant coming from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillim Foundation (OTF) .
The money will help provide kids with special needs with accessibility upgrades in therapeutic spaces, sensory rooms, and bathrooms to enhance the use of the organization’s spaces and facilities.
“The impact of this Ontario government grant cannot be over stated,” said Dianna Jiang, Executive Director of Gifted People Services. “This grant has allowed needed renovations to be made. Now we can accommodate more kids with special needs, and their parents will have more access to our free programs and services.”
According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 36 children and youth aged 5-17 years, the situation has significantly deteriorated after the pandemic. There are not enough therapeutic facilities and spaces for children with ASD as well as their families or caregivers in the community.
“Non-profit organizations across Ontario deliver programming that makes a difference,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Our government wants to ensure that these programs and spaces remain the heart of communities across our province.”
“I’m thrilled to celebrate the $135,500 Capital grant awarded to Gifted Peoples Services by the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” MPP Logan Kanapathi said.“This funding is a testament to their exceptional work in creating accessible spaces for children with special needs. Congratulations to Dianna Jiang and her team for this well-deserved recognition and their unwavering commitment to our community.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
MPP Logan Kanapthi
OTF member Janice McGurran