A Trillium Foundation grant of $60,400 has been awarded to five organizations that support people with mental disabilities in and around Guelph. The grant is specifically to expand a program that trains volunteer independent facilitators who offer aid to people helped by those organizations.
The five organizations who will benefit from the grant are Community Living Guelph Wellington, Guelph Services for the Autistic, Dufferin Child and Family Services, Trellis Mental Health and Development Services and Family Counselling Support Services for Guelph-Wellington. Each organization has a unique and varied history but all have the same goal in mind, to help people live productive and worthwhile lives.
Community Living Guelph Wellington was formed in 1955 by parents of children with disabilities and other interested citizens. They provide services to their client throughout there lives. Currently, they help 400 individuals and their families. They have a staff of 350 so their clients get individualized care and support. The organization has a very open communication policy; the annual report and financial statements are available on their website for anyone to download. They also publish a monthly newsletter to keep the Guelph community updated on recent happenings. It is important that all charitable and non-profit organizations keep the community updated. They often reach out into the community by sending out a flyer; printing the information for those who don’t have access to a computer is just as important.
The other four organizations have similar histories and open communication policies. Most receive the majority of their funding from provincial and federal governments so they must be open and above board with all that they do.
