Ontario Helping Lift People Out of Poverty In Kenora

Province Supporting Innovative Solutions to Skills Development and Employment

January 17, 2017

Poverty Reduction Strategy

Ontario is investing in a skills training program in Kenora to help people break the cycle of poverty, find good jobs and end homelessness in the region.

Chris Ballard, Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, was at Kenora Chiefs Advisory today to highlight its new Life Skills program. The project is receiving support from the province to help Ontario Works and ODSP clients, youth in care, parents of youth in care and persons with disabilities to transition to employment, education or training. The program provides support and coaching to help people gain soft skills and job-related skills. The data collected through this project will contribute to a body of knowledge that will support poverty reduction programs across the province.

Thirty projects across Ontario are being funded through Ontario’s Local Poverty Reduction Fund. The fund supports innovative, community-led programs that help groups disproportionately affected by poverty get into housing, develop skills and find employment, including women, single parents, people with disabilities, youth, newcomers, visible minorities, seniors and Indigenous Peoples.

Fighting poverty is part of the government’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy, and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

• Kenora Chiefs Advisory is receiving over $1.3 million to help evaluate their Life Skills program. The data collected will contribute to a body of knowledge that will support poverty reduction programs across the province.
• Ontario is supporting 30 projects through the Local Poverty Reduction Fund with an investment of over $16 million. These projects focus on local community partnerships and include a third-party evaluation component.
• The fund also supports projects led by Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations, both on- and off-reserve.
• These projects focus on local community partnerships and include a third-party evaluation component.
• Organizations have one more opportunity to apply for funding in spring, 2017.

Additional Resources

• Local Poverty Reduction Fund
• Realizing Our Potential: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy

Quotes

“Ontario is investing in programs that will measurably improve the lives of those most affected by poverty. With this funding, Kenora Chiefs Advisory will be able to help us learn more about what approaches are making a difference for the community in Kenora. By harnessing the creativity of local partners, identifying innovative community-driven solutions, and building on evidence-based best practices, we can make strong inroads in tackling poverty.”

Chris Ballard
Minister of Housing, Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy

“This important funding from The Local Poverty Reduction Fund will help us develop a new service that will address the issue of homelessness and poverty by equipping community members with employment readiness skills and support services. Kenora Chiefs Advisory will determine community priorities, collect baseline data, and develop a preliminary evaluation framework to determine the impact and success of this project, which will inform effective service delivery for Indigenous communities across Ontario.”

Joe Barnes
Executive Director, Kenora Chiefs Advisory
Media Contacts

Laura Gallant
Minister’s Office
laura.gallant@ontario.ca
416-585-6333

Joshua Henry
Communications Branch
Joshua.Henry@ontario.ca
416-325-5760

NT5