The government will be providing a grant of approximately $110,000 to support its capital structure and fund further programming. This includes modernizing the facility and improving infrastructure including roofs, windows, and backup generators. The donation is part of an effort to provide beds and additional support for mental health in Ontario.
Tony Carella, director of community relations at Vitanova and a former Vaughan city councillor, describes the grant as recognition of the organization’s approach:
“Residential settings can — managed the right way — have a terrific therapeutic impact on people because it's a microcosm and they can see how they interact with the rest of the world.”
Vitanova also provides day treatment and holistic wraparound services, including family support and distributing the Andrew Robinson Memorial Scholarship. It has been in existence since 1987, when it was founded by Carella’s late wife Franca, and claims to have treated over 18,000 patients. Treatment centres such as this often use tools such as brochure printing and online outreach to help let people know how they can help.
The Government of Ontario grant to the Vitanova Foundation was announced on February 3 in a small ceremony at the facility.