Ontario Investing in Upgrades and Repairs to Community Agencies
Upkeep and renovations ensuring Durham Region continues to have safe access to services
Pickering, ON —The Ontario government is investing a total of $665,300 in Durham Region to support necessary building repairs, and renovations to several community agencies that deliver critical social and community programs across Ontario. The funding will help ensure those buildings continue to be accessible and in good working order so agencies can continue to focus on providing vital services for people with developmental disabilities, victims of domestic violence and children with special needs and mental health needs.
“Local community agencies play a key role in delivering services to vulnerable families, women, and children and I am proud that we are making the necessary investments, to enable local service providers to continue to do their important work, as many are relying on their support during these challenging times,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge.
“Community agencies here in Whitby-Oshawa, and other parts of the Region of Durham are providing vital residential supports and developmental services for families, and shelter services for women who need a safe haven for themselves and their children. We need to ensure the facilities they depend on are safe, secure and in good repair.” said Whitby MPP Lorne Coe and Chief Government Whip
“Ontarians health and safety is our government’s top priority. Investing in infrastructure for community agencies that deliver critical programs is essential”, said Rod Phillips, MPP for Ajax. “This funding will support necessary building repairs and renovations to enable community agencies to provide safe and accessible spaces to facilitate our most vulnerable community members, here in Ajax and the Durham Region.”
The following community agencies are receiving funding:
- Frontenac Youth Services
- Grandview Children’s Centre
- Kerry’s Place Autism Services
- Boys and Girls Club of Durham
“Supporting infrastructure repairs for community agencies is an important part of ensuring that people can continue to safely access the services they depend on,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “These spaces are vital for people with developmental disabilities, women and children experiencing domestic violence, Indigenous people, and children with special needs and this investment alleviates pressures so that staff can focus on doing their work.”
Through the annual Partner Facility Renewal program, the Ontario government is investing a total of $18.5 million in 198 community agencies. Agencies will use the funding for repairs and upgrades to roofing, windows, security systems, and fire alarms, electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing systems.
QUICK FACTS
- Community agencies deliver vital programs related to anti-human trafficking, autism, child welfare, children’s mental health, children’s treatment centres, development services, child development, interpreter and intervenor, Indigenous health and wellness, violence against women and youth justice services.
- There are more than 70,000 adults with a developmental disability in Ontario and about 19,000 will receive residential supports in communities across the province in 2021-22.
- In 2019-20, more than 110,000 children and youth received rehabilitation services (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech-language pathology) through Children’s Treatment Centres in community-based settings.
- Ontario’s emergency women’s shelters serve more than 15,000 women and children yearly.
- In 2019-20, more than 104,000 families across Ontario were served by 50 children’s aid societies, including 12 Indigenous societies and three faith-based societies.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Safa Khan
Office of Peter Bethlenfalvy
MPP, Pickering – Uxbridge
Peter.bethlenfalvyco@pc.ola.org
Shannon Weir
Office of Lorne Coe
MPP, Whitby
lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org
Dawn Matthew
Office of Rod Phillips
MPP, Ajax
rod.phillipsco@pc.ola.org