Granting Stories
Project Tiny Hope
Sanctuary Homes and Doug Tarry Homes have partnered with the YWCA to bring new affordable housing in a supportive environment to downtown St. Thomas through Project Tiny Hope. This collaborative initiative focuses on building tiny homes that foster community and belonging. The new development at 21 Kains Street will provide stable housing with personalized supports and programs, helping residents achieve life stabilization as a foundation for economic security, wellness, and community connection. The 40 new rental units will be inclusive, welcoming 66 individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences
Funding in part by:
Sweetgrass Fund
White Family Fund
Estate of Donna Vera Bushell
Don and Helen Black Fund
Youth Unlimited
Youth Unlimited / YFC Elgin County is a global organization dedicated to supporting and empowering young people. In Canada, Youth Unlimited operates through various local chapters, offering programs tailored to the unique needs of youth in different communities. Our mission is to see every young person living fully-with hope, purpose, and a sense of belonging. Youth Unlimited has been serving youth in the Elgin County area for over 20 years. Our youth centre, located at 21 Edward Street in St. Thomas, serves as a safe and welcoming space for youth from all walks of life. We focus on fostering their emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and intellectual development. While most of our programs support youth ages 11 to 18, we also run an emergency overnight program for youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness
Every Kid Rox
Forest Cliff Camps
Thanks to funding from Every Kid Rox, Forest Cliff Camps has been able to provide inclusive, life-changing summer experiences for children with complex needs. By supporting the role of a part-time Support Experience Leader, they’ve helped make 1:1 care possible—ensuring every camper feels seen, supported, and able to thrive. One camper’s journey from a tough first week to a joyful, successful second week is just one example of the lasting impact this partnership has made.
Destination Church
Destination Church serves 120 children daily in St Thomas who come to school without food. Destination Church took over the program in 2018, initially serving 50 lunches at 5 schools. Now, they serve 120 lunches at 6 schools daily, funded entirely by donations. The lunches include a protein sandwich, fruit, vegetables, a snack, a cookie, and yogurt or pudding. They spend about $2,500-$3,000 per month, with support from Harvest Hands and Eat 2 Learn. Their team of 25 volunteers, including community members and other churches, prepare lunches Monday-Thursday. The Kiwanis club distributes the lunches to the schools daily.
Indwell Housing
Indwell develops and operates affordable, supportive housing communities across Ontario for people experiencing poverty, homelessness, mental health challenges, and other barriers to stable housing. Indwell St. Thomas, received $15,000 from the Elgin St. Thomas Community Foundation in 2023 to furnish apartments at The Station. The funds furnished 6 apartments for people moving from homelessness or precarious housing. Indwell furnishes apartments because many of our tenants move in with very few belongings. The funds from ESCF allowed us to provide beds, dressers, loveseats, kitchen tables/chairs, and a kitchen starter kit for six apartments. We provide onsite, wrap-around supports for our tenants. The furnished apartments help people begin the transition to better health and wellness with a comfortable apartment that feels like home.
Junior Jumbo
The Junior Jumbo Mud Challenge team is proud to share that the 2024 event raised over $20,000 for poverty initiatives in St. Thomas and Elgin County! Proceeds were donated through the JJMC Fund at the Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation(ESCF) and distributed to local charities including the St. Thomas Food Bank, the Aylmer Food Bank, the YWCA's Youth Roof Over Their Head project, The Inn, Youth Unlimited Youth Shelter, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Since 2017, the JJMC has contributed more than $90,000 to local organizations, all made possible by community support and the partnership of the ESCF. We're grateful for your continued support - together, we're making a lasting difference for children, families, and the future of our community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Thanks to the generous support of Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation, BBBS has taken a giant leap forward in modernizing operations and expanding outreach. With a $22,545 investment in new technology, they’ve strengthened security, improved efficiency, and enhanced their ability to recruit and support volunteers. New computers and mobile tools have streamlined operations, while upgraded presentation equipment allows them to deliver engaging mentorship opportunities across Elgin County. This investment has already led to increased volunteer inquiries-ensuring more children can benefit from the power of mentoring. They are deeply grateful for this support, which has future-proofed their programs and positioned them for continued growth.
Dutton Dunwich-West Elgin Community Fund
Thanks to support from the Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation, the Diamonds Improvement Project at Sons of Scotland Park in Dutton brought new life to two aging baseball diamonds. With crumbling backstops, rotting dugout benches, and safety concerns, the fields were on the verge of becoming unusable—putting local minor ball programs at risk. Renovations to Diamonds #1 and #2 included new backstops, safety fencing, and upgraded footings, ensuring a safe and welcoming space for hundreds of players. The impact extended beyond minor ball: West Elgin Secondary School hosted their first-ever home game in May 2024, and the park welcomed an Ontario University Women’s Softball playoff game that fall—giving local girls the chance to participate in a high-level sporting event in their own community.
Kettle Creek - 200 Trees for 200 Years
The 8th Grade Eco Class integrates the standard curriculum with environmental education, allowing for extensive outdoor learning and collaboration with community partners. Recently, they contributed to the 200 Trees for 200 Years Port Stanley bicentennial project by hosting an Earth Day celebration and planting 400 shrubs and trees. They also planted a school garden, which serves as a legacy gift for future students. With the support of grant money, they installed a native pollinator garden next to their vegetable garden. They also hope to purchase a garden shed for their tools and initiate a composting project to enhance their composting effort
Christmas Care
Christmas Care is a not for profit organization that gathers volunteers annually to prepare boxes full of food for those in need. Christmas Care also offers hampers full of food to make a full Christmas dinner, including turkey or ham, cereal, canned goods, and cookies. Additionally, there are toys and gifts for children, as well as hats, mitts and scarves to keep those in need warm on the chilly winter days.
The INN
Founded in 2010, The INN St. Thomas-Elgin is the only low-barrier 24/7 homeless shelter in the St. Thomas-Elgin area that provides comprehensive care and support to help those in need rebuild their lives. We are a housing-focused organization. Our facility offers 40 beds and 15 cool/warming spaces, serving men, women, seniors, and LGBTQ2+ individuals aged 16 and older. We serve individuals with no income or those receiving Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) assistance, and even those with employment. We understand their unique barriers and provide holistic support that tackles the root causes of homelessness, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Our doors are open to individuals from diverse backgrounds and stories, welcoming everyone with compassion and understanding.
Funding in part by:
Junior Jumbo Poverty Initiative Fund
Marg and Harold Carroll Fund
St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing
At Second Stage Housing, we provide secure, affordable housing and comprehensive support services for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Each year, we support approximately 24 women and their children within our housing program, providing them with a stable environment where they can heal, rebuild their confidence, and plan for a future free from violence. In addition, we assist many more individuals through our transitional support services, helping survivors access community resources, find permanent housing, and gain the skills they need to thrive independently. Our programs offer more than just housing-we provide counseling, safety planning, advocacy, and Life skills training to empower survivors on their journey toward independence. Support from community foundations and caring donors is vital to sustaining this work, and we are truly appreciative of the commitment to making a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Funding in part by:
Don & Helen Black Fund
Colchester Fund
Great-EST Needs Fund
The War Amps
In 2024, The War Amps expanded their support for amputees across Canada—offering increased funding for everyday and specialty limbs, as well as larger grants to help new amputees during a critical time in their recovery. They also brought back CHAMP seminars for child amputees, covering all travel, accommodation, and activity costs so families could connect and learn without financial barriers. In addition, The War Amps continued to advocate for amputees’ rights, helping members win important insurance cases and pushing for systemic change for veterans.