As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child.
With that in mind, a new program aims to foster connections between caring community members, children and families struggling or in crisis, with the goal of helping children feel better and develop resiliency skills to face life’s challenges.
Launched earlier this week by Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County, this initiative is known as the Village Finding Project, which received $95,500 in funding from the Resilient Communities Grant through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
“By working together in innovative ways and with community partners, I am confident that our community will continue to reduce childhood risk factors and increase positive factors that protect the health and wellbeing of the next generation,” said MPP Mike Schreiner in a news release.
This funding supports the work of the Community Resilience Coalition of Guelph & Wellington (Community Resilience Coalition) in developing training intended to raise awareness of the effects of early adversity and actions individuals can take to promote resilience.
“The collaboration between the Village Finding Project and the work of the Community Resilience Coalition is an example of a shared commitment to strengthening community,” the release states.
Those dollars further support development of a social enterprise plan meant to maintain and sustain the critical and impactful work of the coalition.
“We admire how OTF has shifted their frameworks, expectations and budgets to better serve non-profits in an effort to grow and rebuild families’ resilience affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Daria Allan-Ebron, executive director of the local F&CS. “We believe that children and youth belong at home with their families whenever possible, and will do everything we can to keep families together.
“We are grateful for this vital support as we work toward a stronger, healthier community.”
Children’s lives are shaped by a mix of positive and negative experiences, which can have an impact on health and wellbeing over time.
The Village Finding Project is meant to promote positive childhood experiences that support healthy development, positive mental health and resilience.