$66,700 Ontario Government grant has strengthened Cedar Centre’s organizational growth and supported its accreditation process.
November 28, 2025
Cedar Centre Thanks The Province And The Ontario Trillium Foundation
Newmarket, ON – On Friday, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy welcomed representatives from the Cedar Centre and the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to her office to acknowledge the impact of the group’s 2022 OTF grant. The $66,700 Resilient Communities Fund grant enabled the non-profit to strengthen its operations and deepen its community impact in several key areas, including brand development, community awareness, and, most notably, national accreditation through Imagine Canada’s Standards Program.
“This investment from the Ontario government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation has enabled Cedar Centre to grow its capacity, enhance its organizational strength, and continue delivering trauma-informed services that our community relies on,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket–Aurora. “Achieving Imagine Canada accreditation is a remarkable milestone, and speaks to the organization’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and compassion.”
The OTF grant provided Cedar Centre with the resources and capacity to undertake a wide range of vital initiatives that enhanced the organization’s visibility, internal systems, and connection with the community. Among these achievements, obtaining accreditation from Imagine Canada stands out as a significant milestone, one that would not have been possible without OTF’s investment.
“Accreditation was a major undertaking that required us to look inward, strengthen our internal structures, and evolve how we operate,” said Alison Peck, Executive Director of Cedar Centre. “To complete this while continuing to deliver our core services was a huge accomplishment, and we could not have done it without the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Their support enabled us to build a stronger, more trusted organization.”
The Imagine Canada Standards Program recognizes excellence in five key areas: board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, human resources, and volunteer involvement. Accreditation affirms Cedar Centre’s commitment to the highest standards of integrity and operational effectiveness, further enhancing public trust and organizational resilience.
Beyond accreditation, the OTF grant also supported Cedar Centre’s work in refining its brand and increasing awareness of its services in the broader community, ensuring that those in need know where to turn for trauma-specific therapy and support.
This support has come at a time of growth and transformation for Cedar Centre, including the development of York Region’s first Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, a collaborative initiative with York Region Children’s Aid Society, York Regional Police, Jewish Family and Child Service, and Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services. This centre will provide an integrated, trauma-specific response to child abuse and exploitation in the region.
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 nearly $105M into 732 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.
Cedar Centre provides a unique and holistic approach to therapy, education and advocacy for those who have experienced trauma. We work from anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks, serving people ages three years old and older. We are committed to improving the lives of people through a trauma-specific therapy plan that is designed to meet each person’s unique needs, strengths and challenges. For more information, visit cedarcentre.ca. About Imagine Canada Standards: Imagine Canada’s Standards are designed to elevate organizational excellence and transparency within charities and nonprofits. The goal is to foster resilience and bolster public confidence in both individual organizations and the sector as a whole. The accreditation process involves meeting 73 rigorous standards spanning financial management and accountability, fundraising, board governance, human resources, and volunteer involvement.