ELORA – Centre Wellington is restructuring the Neighbourhood Grant Program in favour of a new program called CommunityConnect.
Council approved the restructuring at its Feb. 26 meeting.
Manager of community development Kristen Drexler presented a report explaining the Neighbourhood Grant Program has outlived its use.
The grant program was established in 2021 as a way to bring neighbourhoods together and support wellness and connectivity coming out of the pandemic.
Drexler said in 2022, 13 neighbourhood grants of $1,000 were awarded and in 2023, five were awarded. However, only two completed their initiatives and three will carry over their funding to this year.
At the same time, community groups and festivals are having a hard time attracting volunteers post-pandemic.
The thought, Drexler said, is to redirect the neighbourhood funding to CommunityConnect and build connections throughout the township.
“The neighbourhood grants served a purpose coming out of the pandemic and for two years, brought neighbourhoods together,” Drexler stated in her report.
“Staff are elevating the need for connectivity and would like to bring this concept to the entire community, rather than focusing on neighbourhood-specific events.”
As of December 2023, there was $18,054.55 in the Neighbourhood Wellness Reserve, with $3,000 of committed funds carried over in 2024. That leaves $15,054.55 in the reserve and another $5,000 in the 2024 budget.
The CommunityConnect pilot program requires $8,300, which is $3,300 over the amount budgeted for the neighbourhood grants. Council agreed to increase the allocation, which will come from the reserve.
Drexler said staff has a four-part plan:
- holding volunteer open houses;
- hosting a reception for new residents;
- writing volunteer profiles and posting them on social media; and
- hosting a volunteer fair.
A reception for new residents, dubbed Welcome Wave, is tentatively planned for Sept. 19 in conjunction with the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the county’s settlement team.
A trade show-style volunteer fair is planned for Oct. 3. It will provide high school students with an opportunity to get their required 40 hours of volunteer service as well as link newcomers with local organizations and encourage volunteerism overall, township officials say.
