$155,300 OTF Grant from the Ontario Government Brings Grieving Community Members Together

                                                                               June 19, 2024

Newmarket, ON – On Wednesday, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy had the opportunity to hear how a $155,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has been making a difference over the last year. The two-year long grant, awarded to Victim Services of York Region in 2023, is helping to expand the local organization’s suicide bereavement support programs. The project will provide immediate extended mental health support to people considering suicide, as well as for anyone who’s grieving as a result of a suicide by someone close to them.

“Victim Services provides invaluable community services that support those who have experienced a traumatic event,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket—Aurora. “I am proud of our government’s support of their bereavement program as it provides indispensable assistance to loved ones on their healing journey.”

These much-needed funds are helping to address the effects of isolation, anxiety, depression, and trauma due to COVID, as well as increased wait times for community mental health therapy which have increased stress for vulnerable and marginalized populations. With suicide rates increasing, these funds will allow us to support individuals grieving as a result of suicide and those considering suicide.

“Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, Victim Services is able to rebuild community post-COVID by connecting people struggling with grief,” said Gillian Freeman, Executive Director. “Bringing community members together who are grieving from such traumatic losses is imperative as the bereaved need a place to feel love, loss, hope and healing. Suicide is not about individuals, we need to remove the societal stigma and help and put a stop to people grieving in silent quiet shame.”

Victim Services is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that works in partnership with York Regional Police, the OPP and York Fire Services to provide 24-hour crisis intervention support to persons victimized by crime and tragic circumstances.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Media Contact

Nadia Hansen

Constituency Scheduler, Stakeholder Relations, Event Manager

Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP Newmarket—Aurora
nadia.hansen@pc.ola.org

416-553-2471