Halton Region allocated $4.5 million in 2024 to fund 83 community programs — selected from 124 proposals — that address health, safety and well-being needs of residents.
The funding, part of the annual Community Investment Fund, supported organizations tackling diverse human service needs, including mental health outreach, support for underserved communities and initiatives to enhance safety and inclusion.
This year’s funding includes 65 new grants and 18 multi-year grants approved in prior years. Highlights of the 2024 programs include:
Health initiatives
- Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Region branch: $347,864 over two years to pilot an alternative approach for the Crisis Outreach and Support Team, helping those facing mental health and addiction crises.
- Syrian Canadian Foundation: $28,800 to provide culturally appropriate training for Arabic-speaking women, helping them support children with mental health challenges.
- Links2Care: $94,989 to assist homeless and precariously housed populations in navigating the healthcare system.
- Milton Community Resource Centre, $224,226 over two years to provide access to infant food and supplies and menstrual products to families with low incomes.
Community safety projects
- Oakville React Inc.: $12,713 to upgrade radio communication equipment for emergency response coordination during community events.
- John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin: $30,000 for a collaborative program with Halton Regional Police Service to divert individuals from the criminal justice system.
- MusFit: $29,897 for martial arts-based self-defense training, promoting physical activity and mental health among women and youth in the Muslim community.
Well-being programs
- Halton Black History Awareness Society: $11,500 for a train-the-trainer program that educates on Canadian Black history and provides tools to combat racism and discrimination.
- Grandmother’s Voice: $29,960 to support a community of practice for service providers and host Indigenous cultural events.
- Creative Community Hive: $28,139 for arts, cooking and entrepreneurial workshops for older adults and newcomers facing barriers like low income.