GRANTS
Now I Can Children's Fund is a permanently endowed fund held with the Burlington Community Foundation. Capital in the fund is invested and the income earned is distributed as grants in response to community needs at the discretion and direction of the fund holders. In 2008, the Fund reached granting status.
2024 - Eva Rothwell Centre. Hamilton
Located in the Heart of Hamilton's North End, the Eva Rothwell Centre partners with families living in poverty, empowering them to become self-sufficient and fulfill their desired potential. In keeping with the Now I can Fund's mission and continuing support of the children and youth at the Centre, the Now I Can Children's Fund awarded a grant to 11 yo Haven to cover Drum lessons at the Foot Print Music Company. Haven has been a regular participant at the after school programs and day camps offered at the Centre for 6 years. She is passionate about learning new skills and expressing herself artistically.
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2024- My Friend's House (Open Minds Program). Collingwood
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My Friend's House is a non-profit agency offering support and shelter for abused women with or without children. We were approached by the founder of the Open Minds Program affiliated with the agency to see if our Fund could help cover the registration fee for a young boy to attend a week long summer camp and after school program offered by the Open Minds Program. This program is activity based, incorporating positive mindset practices including yoga, art and eco-sustainability education and activities. It provides a safe space for children to interact with one another through acitivites designed to build confidence and self-esteem. We were very happy to be able to provide this financial support.
2023
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The Now I Can Fund continues its support of the children and youth who participate in the programs offered at the Eva Rothwell Centre in Hamilton.
For the 2023 -2024 granting period, our Fund awarded a grant to Angie Feraudy-Pena. This grant will cover the registration fee for Angie to take a Junior Music Course in piano at the Hamilton Conservatory of Arts, Hamilton.
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Education & Development Fund, Community Youth Programs, 2022
In October, we were pleased to award a grant to the Community Youth Programs, Oakville . This grant was gifted to Danny Johnson by the departing executive director, Susan Gribbon. Danny was a resident in the CYP program for 18 months and had recently graduated to independent living. Once aimless in his goals and struggling academically, Danny was able to overcome the adversity in his life, finish his high school education and get a part-time job. Danny recently graduated with honours and is attending the University of Guelph, Humber Campus. We wish him every success.
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Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre, 2021
Sunrise serves individuals of all ages with a wide range of physical and cognitive challenges. The Now I Can Fund was pleased to respond to a need to assist a young client rider with Fall registration fees. Therapeutic riding has enabled this young rider to build confidence and help her achieve greater mobility and develop new skills. A grant was awarded to the Centre to assist other young participants as well with their registration costs who would otherwise not be able to afford the fees. Sunrise has provided funding on an 'as needed basis' over the years but the scholarship fund for which the Centre does their own fundraising was quite depleted as the annual events had been restricted due to the pandemic.
Smashing Girls Program, 2020
Smashing Girls is an innovative golf program designed to give girls aged 11-16 the opportunity to learn golf, meet successful women mentors and learn critical interpersonal skills. This program partners with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters in order to target girls who can benefit from the program.
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Our fund continued its support of the Smashing Girls Program with a grant for the 2020 golf season. The program director views the opportunity to learn golf as a gateway to increase confidence both on and off the course, manage emotions, and letting go of judgements and biases regarding self and others.
Smashing Girls Program, 2019
In summer of 2018, the girls received 5 professional golf lessons, played 2 rounds of 9 holes with their mentors and finished with a Smashing Nines event in the summer of 2019. Participants gained skills and knowledge to help them have a positive approach to life's challenges and opportunities. A full sponsorship of $500 provides a girl with lessons and equipment. The Nowican Fund is proud to have awarded a grant in 2018 for the 2019 golf season.
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Thank you Fareen (Far) Samji for taking the leadership in helping young girls find footsteps to a brighter future.
Eva Rothwell Centre - Inner City Outreach Ministry (Hamilton) - 2018
A grant was awarded to the 'at risk support program'.
Halton Learning Centre - 2017
A grant was given to the Halton Learning Centre. There were two instances were financial help was requested to offset transportation costs for two young students to attend specialized mental health programming. Registration fees for one of the students with complex behavioral and emotional issues was provided to give him the opportunity to take classes at the Burlington Gymnastics Club. The grant also provided support to elementary students who did not have the financial means to participate in educational field trips and other extracurricular activities.
Woodsman Canoe Trip Oct 1-4 - 2015
We were pleased to provide a grant to the Community Youth Programs, residential program in Oakville. This enabled a small group of their residents to experience a 3 day canoe trip in Algonquin Park organized and guided by Peter Nessmuk , Nessmuk Wilderness Sills and Exploration out of Burks Fall.
Virtual Y Program, 2012
This satellite program of the Burlington YMCA,is a comprehensive after school program offered at Holy Rosary Public School. Literacy and social skills are emphasized as well as homework support.
Burlington Hoops Basketball, 2011
The Fund has been responsive to several requests for financial assistance with program fees in instances where access to other financial avenues have failed. We were pleased to cover the registration fees for a season for one young lad who showed athletic promise.
Community Youth Program and Education and Development Fund, 2009 & 2010​
CYP provides housing and support for adolescent boys and girls who are unable to live with a family and unprepared for independent living. There is an emphasis on school achievement as well as job and life skills training. The Education and Development Fund offers small grants to help former group home residents offset out of pocket expenses, who attend college, university or post secondary training programs.