Community Living Ontario Family Grant Application Now Open

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON, May 28, 2024 — After implementing a successful inaugural family engagement grant initiative in 2023, Community Living Ontario (CLO) is pleased to announce that the grant program is being offered again this year with a deadline of Wednesday, June 5, 2024. 

Aimed at supporting and encouraging family engagement for families with loved ones who have an intellectual disability, grants of up to $10,000 are being offered as an instrument to create inclusive environments and bolster inclusivity across Ontario. 

“Central to our organizational mission, this grant initiative supports family-led activities, fosters family-to-family connections and strengthens networks for families with members who have an intellectual disability,” explains Payal Khazanchi, Director of Inclusion Initiatives at CLO. 

Families with loved ones who have an intellectual disability consistently report feeling isolated and frustrated at the lack of support. This grant program and associated virtual and in-person gatherings hope to address these issues.  

Feedback from the 15 grants awarded through CLO’s 2023 inaugural program illustrates just how effective these grants are in achieving the goal of empowering and enriching family groups and providing positive social impact across the board. “The biggest change this group has made in my life is to connect with other caregivers, share experiences, and get support from social workers for emergency challenges,” explains a grant recipient from the 2023 program. 

“In 2023-24, our family engagement grant initiative impacted more than 500 families across Ontario through supports facilitated by grant recipients,” shares Chris Beesley, CEO of Community Living Ontario. “This inspiring result underscores the importance of empowering families so that they may create supportive environments where families learn from one another, facilitate change, and, ultimately, are able to thrive.”  

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To apply: 

Applications are open until 5:00 pm ET on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, and should be submitted to: inclusion@communitylivingontario.ca 

Before applying, please review the family engagement vision statement. 

For more information, contact: 

Payal Khazanchi, Director of Inclusion Initiatives, Community Living Ontario, at: inclusion@communitylivingontario.ca