Province to Help London and Southwestern Children and Families Affected by Poverty
Local Poverty Reduction Fund Supports Community-Driven Poverty Solutions
September 18, 2015
Ontario is investing in eight projects, run by local organizations in Southwestern Ontario, to help improve the lives of people affected by poverty.
Through the Local Poverty Reduction Fund, Ontario will provide up to:
- $275,000 to Literacy Link South Central, to help Ontario Works recipients transition more effectively into the workforce by connecting them with literacy training and employment services
- $572,000 to the London Family Court Clinic to provide specialized supports for young people involved with the justice system
- $351,000 to the Middlesex-London Health Unit for a new nursing education program to support vulnerable young mothers and their babies
- $88,000 to the United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex to increase high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates for students in low-income families
- $470,000 to Western University to assess and improve the mental health of pre-school children who may be at risk
- $134,000 to Western University to reduce homelessness among families with dependent children
- $595,000 to Youth Opportunities Unlimited to support young people who are not in school or training to complete their high school education
- $360,000 to YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin to support homeless or at-risk youth find safe, long-term housing
With Ontario’s support, these organizations will either pilot new programs and measure their success or evaluate the impact of existing programs on the people who need them most.
Evidence gathered from these projects and others will be used by the province to support poverty reduction programs across the province that have been proven to work and that can expand over time.
Fighting poverty is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan.
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s Local Poverty Reduction Fund supports innovative and sustainable local programs that use community partnerships to support those who are disproportionately affected by poverty, including: women, single parents, people with disabilities, youth, newcomers, visible minorities, seniors and Aboriginal Peoples.
- Organizations have two more opportunities to apply for funding in 2016 and 2017.
Quotes
“With this fund, we are establishing a new way of tackling poverty, one that’s rooted in evidence. I’m thrilled to see that these local community organizations are helping us build the body of evidence we need to make sure we are investing in what works and what makes people’s lives better.”
Deb Matthews
President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy
Media Contacts
Leslie O’Leary
Minister’s Office
416-327-0345
Alan Cairns
Communications Branch
416-327-2805
NT4