MPPs Congratulate Yorktown Family Services with an OTF Grant

On January 18th, 2024, MPP Michael Ford and MPP Robin Martin were at the West Toronto Youth Wellness Hub at Jane and Trethewey to hear how a $150,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant awarded to the Yorktown Family Services (YFS) in 2022 has made an impact.  The grant, awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, has enabled YFS to modernize its technology infrastructure and support its commitment to cultural competency, including the implementation of a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Council that will create and incorporate an action plan for Yorktown Family Services. 

“York South-Weston is a diverse and ever-growing community,” said Michael Ford, MPP for York South-Weston. “I am excited for Yorktown Family Services to receive the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Grant. This funding will help them continue the fantastic work they do to drive positive change, build stronger, more inclusive communities, and support the children, youth, and families they serve. I look forward to seeing Yorktown Family Services help our community prosper.”

The grant was used to help with a critical upgrade of Yorktown’s technology infrastructure, introduce safety measures, enhance its fundraising capacity, and has helped with staffing costs, as well as bringing in outside guidance for developing new DEI and AR strategies. YFS began implementing this work in 2022, with its final completion scheduled for March 2024. 

“I am very pleased that Yorktown Family Services, a long standing community resource in Eglinton-Lawrence, will be able to better serve members of local vulnerable and marginalized communities as a result of monies received from the Resilient Communities fund grant, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Robin Martin, MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence. 

“According to Toronto.ca, mental health and substance use trends worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and had a negative impact on pre-existing health inequities. There has been an increased demand for more mental health services as waitlists are growing and we are seeing this reflected at Yorktown,” said Suzette Arruda-Santos, CEO of Yorktown Family Services.

Established in 1993, Yorktown Family Services supports over 5,000 clients annually, with a focus on Toronto’s most marginalized communities including Weston Mt. Dennis, Jane Lawrence, and Rockcliffe Smythe. Programs and services are provided free of charge, at three primary sites including: The Infant, Child, and Family Mental Health Centre; The West Toronto Youth Wellness Hub integrated care facility dedicated to serving youth and young adults; and The Violence Against Women’s (VAW) shelter in West Central Toronto. 

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.