New environment, arts & culture grants power up five community projects

The Dufferin Community Foundation gave out its first Environment Fund grant of $3,000 to the Township of Melanchton for a collaboration between North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) and Strada Aggregates.

In a unique, cooperative approach between a community group and an aggregate operator, NDACT and Strada have forged a Community Engagement Agreement that will see NDACT act as a conduit between the company, the peer reviewer and the community.

The Environment Fund grant will support outreach to property owners with private wells who may be affected by Strada’s plan to dig below the water table. Once NDACT has registered the property owners in a database, Strada will monitor the wells and establish a baseline to determine any adverse effects should the quarry proceed. In the event of a negative change in the well, Strada will investigate and remedy the situation at no cost to the owner.

“This agreement between NDACT and Strada – a community organization and an aggregate operator – is a ‘proof of concept’ opportunity. We appreciate Strada’s willingness to work with us in this pre- application phase of site feasibility analysis,” saidBrian Bell, vice chair of NDACT.

It is hoped that the model will have a wide-reaching impact in Dufferin County, where there are 48 active quarries.

“It’s interesting that this is the first environmental grant awarded by Dufferin Community Foundation, as we are both breaking new ground here,” said Bell.

“Though it’s the first time that the Environment Fund and Arts and Culture Fund grants have been given out, it won’t be the last,” said Michele Fisher, executive director of Dufferin Community Foundation. “These are ‘forever funds’ for Dufferin County. They are permanently invested and the annual income is used each year to fund our grants. Now that these two funds have been properly established, the grants will be given out every year, forever. That’s pretty exciting.”

Grant recipients were selected after a thorough review process by Dufferin Community Foundation’s volunteer grants reviewers.

“Our team worked hard to facilitate this process in a fair and uncomplicated way. Reading the applications and learning about the amazing projects and efforts going on around us is always an inspiration,” said Shirley Boxem, chair of Dufferin Community Foundation’s grants committee. “I feel privileged to be part of such a caring organization, and on a team that provides grants funds to other caring organizations in our local community.”

The Foundation also awarded four local charities Arts and Culture grants, made possible through a $10,000 donation from Enbridge Gas, focused on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through the arts in Dufferin County. More than half of the applications received were for projects that benefited people with neurodiversity, showing the need in our community for support.

Active Lives Canada – Special Puppets

The grant will enable Active Lives Canada to initiate Special Puppets, a project that harnesses the art of puppetry to empower adults with special needs. The program will also educate children about people with special needs through performances at schools and community theatres. 

Yolanda Yott, the puppet troupe producer, said she is thrilled by the news. “This is a unique puppeteering troupe, made up of individuals with personal experiences of special needs. Their performances will engage the entire community and break down barriers.”

Alzheimer Society of Dufferin County – Singing for Health 

In partnership with Julia’s Place Music Therapy, the Alzheimer Society will launch an intergenerational choir designed to reduce social isolation in older adults and those with disabilities. At the end of the pilot program, the choir will perform the songs at a venue in Orangeville. 

“This project is more than just a musical endeavour. It’s a celebration of inclusivity and expression. For our clients, it’s a unique opportunity to engage with the community and express themselves through the beauty of song and music,” said Executive Director, Carmelina Cicuto.

Community Living Dufferin – Creative Partners On Stage (CPOS)

The next venture for CPOS, a partnership with Theatre Orangeville that features actors with intellectual disabilities in original productions, is “Murder at the Talent Show”. The grant will offset stage production costs for the murder mystery dinner fundraiser, which will be staged from May 17-19. 

“This group of actors is so deserving of the community’s support for their hard work,” said Karen Murphy-Fritz, Executive Assistant. “Thank you to Dufferin Community Foundation for their tremendous support in helping with the costs associated with putting on such great theatre.” 

Trinity United Church Shelburne – Spirit Touches Art Touches Spirit (stARTs)

Trinity United Church will host “Spirit Touches Art Touches Spirit” (stARTS), a day-long celebration of the arts and diversity, including live performances and visual art galleries. This free event picks up where the pandemic left off, gathering the artistic diversity in the Shelburne area and promoting inclusivity through the arts. 

“It promises to be a day of performances from a truly diverse community. By bringing people together to perform in our venue, for the first time since the pandemic, we raise the awareness of the arts with a focus on those newer to the community, greatly adding to the richness of Dufferin County,” stated Ann McAlpine, council member of the church.