An Unprecedented Recognition: Home Depot Community Partnership Award
April 22, 2026
On March 6, 2026, Yorktown Family Services was honoured to welcome Mohamed Firin | MPP York South–Weston to our Violence Against Women Shelter to recognize the impact of a $44,100 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) supporting our Healing Garden.
We were joined by members of our Shelter and Violence Against Women (VAW) Services and Talent & Culture Teams to mark this important milestone. The visit included a tour of the Shelter and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the garden’s pergola — a meaningful moment that celebrated the creation of a space designed for healing, reflection, and connection.
Transforming Space into Support
The Healing Garden has transformed an underused outdoor area into a safe, welcoming, and trauma-informed environment for women and children accessing shelter services.
With support from OTF, the space now includes:
- Accessible pathways, patio, and gathering areas
- Raised garden beds and perennial plantings
- A pergola for shade and programming
- A natural water feature and green space for reflection
Together, these enhancements create a space where individuals can pause, breathe, and begin to feel safe.
“The Healing Garden is more than a physical space — it is a place where women and children can pause, breathe, and begin to feel safe again,” said Suzette Arruda-Santos, Chief Executive Officer of Yorktown Family Services. “Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s investment, we were able to transform this space into an accessible, calming environment that supports healing, reflection, and connection.”
A Community Effort
The Healing Garden reflects the strength of community support.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s investment builds on earlier contributions from Dolphin Gaming, a charitable gaming centre operating in partnership with the City of Toronto, and The Home Depot Canada – Caledonia Road, whose support helped initiate the project and advance its early development.
Together, these contributions demonstrate how community partners can come together to create meaningful, lasting impact.
A Space Already Making a Difference
Even in its early use, the Healing Garden is already supporting well-being.
Women have shared that spending time in the space helps them feel calmer and more at ease, and children are looking forward to planting and caring for the garden — developing a sense of pride, connection, and joy.
This is exactly what the space was designed for: a place of safety, healing, and possibility.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the spring, we look forward to expanding programming in the Healing Garden, including mindfulness activities, gardening workshops, and opportunities for community engagement.
This space will continue to grow alongside the individuals and families who use it — supporting resilience, connection, and new beginnings.
Thank You
We extend our sincere thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their investment in community spaces that support healing and well-being, and to the partners, staff, and community members who helped bring the Healing Garden to life.
At Yorktown, we believe that you have come to the right place — and the Healing Garden is now a beautiful reflection of that promise.
