$67,200 OTF Grant Gives Ingamo Homes a Lift

October 26, 2023

Woodstock, ON – On Thursday, local MPP Ernie Hardeman met with the team at Ingamo Homes to hear more about the $67,200 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to create a covered outdoor space where women and children impacted by violence can develop healthy connections and build resilience. The project was completed early October and will give the women and children staying at Ingamo Homes improved access to outdoor space for years to come.

“This investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to build a gazebo is great news for all those staying at Ingamo,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “The gazebo and other upgrades provide a welcoming outdoor space for families to enjoy.”

In addition to the installation of a gazebo, additional upgrades included lighting and upgraded seating. Ingamo Homes is a second-stage transitional housing program that supports women and their children who have experienced gender-based violence. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, this project will allow women and children to build connections with one another through program models specific to their lived experiences of trauma. This gazebo will allow all of those staying at Ingamo Homes to have a space to build community and participate in celebrations, and this is all thanks to the generous grant of $67,200 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Diane Harris, Executive Director of Ingamo Homes, “the project will address the need for women, children, and staff to safely connect as a group by building a covered outdoor space with lighting and seating that allows for natural air flow and social distancing. Connecting as a wider group allows program staff to deliver counselling programs, skill sharing sessions and resources in a cohesive manner. This project will benefit the women and children whose experiences of domestic violence have led to isolation, loss of supports, and difficulties building healthy connections with others.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.