July 28, 2010

Eleven charitable organizations improving the lives of people with physical disabilities across Toronto will receive up to $15,000 in support of their work. Grants are made possible by the James Rutley Grand Memorial Fund established at the Toronto Community Foundation.

A well-known philanthropist, James Rutley Grand was the grandson of Grand & Toy co-founder, James Grand, and despite having polio as an adult he lived a full life as a successful businessman and devoted community leader.

This marks the first year that Toronto Community Foundation staff have hosted a call for grant applications and conducted a grant stream based on the priorities of the Fund.

2010/2011 grant recipients:

Variety Village, Motor Assisted Equipment for Cardio/Conditioning Centre
Variety Village facilitates the achievement of life goals for people with disabilities of all ages through sports, fitness, wellness, awareness, education, training and skills development. The Village currently has 5,953 members, 60% of which have special needs, and they accommodate an average of 25,000 visits per month.

Tetra Society of North America, Tetra Toronto Custom Assistive Device Program
The Tetra Society of North America is dedicated to enriching the lives of people with significant disabilities by creating non-commercial, customized assistive devices. They engage skilled volunteers to help design and create custom assistive devices for children, youth, adults, and seniors with significant physical disabilities at little or no cost to help reduce a range of barriers for people with limited mobility and dexterity and help them achieve a greater degree of independence and self-reliance.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Ontario, Pressure Relief Mattress Campaign
The ALS Society of Ontario is dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals and families living with ALS. They provide equipment, support services, education and facilitate other assistance. They currently service 209 individuals within Toronto and almost half of those are living below the poverty line and qualify for 100% funding. The average ALS client requires approximately $130,000 worth of medical equipment over the course of their illness (2-5 years).

Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, Triangle Project/Rainbow Rooms, Accessibility Project
The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto’s goal is to become a sustainable, effective and progressive Christian voice in Canada and globally. Rooted in the GLBT community, MCC Toronto is social justice oriented, reaching out, learning from and supporting all faith traditions and sexual orientations.

Ontario March of Dimes, DesignAbility
Ontario March of Dimes is dedicated to creating a society inclusive of people with physical disabilities through a wide range of programs and services. They hope to maximize the independence, personal empowerment and community participation of these individuals. They assist individuals with disabilities in all aspects of their lives including employment, transportation, education, housing and recreation. In 2008-2009, they provided 2.1 million hours of direct services to 47,147 children and adults in Ontario and across Canada, who suffer from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, acquired brain injuries or the recurring effects of stroke or polio.

Dr Clown (Toronto Division), Program for Adults and Elders
Based primarily in Quebec, Dr Clown’s goal is to help improve the quality of life of hospitalized children, adults and elderly by bringing companionship, imagination and fun to ill and/or disabled individuals on a regular long-term basis. Dr Clown now serves over 6,000 chronically ill and/or disabled individuals of all ages each year in Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto. They have run two highly successful 6-month pilot programs at adult centres in Toronto.

Downsview Services for Seniors, Transportation
Downsview Services for Seniors aspires to meet the needs of older adults and their caregivers in the diverse Downsview community. Their goal is to provide equitable, accessible, high quality services to support and foster independent living. Offering day programs, two supportive housing sites, and programs such as Meals on Wheels, Downsview serves over 600 people on a monthly basis.

Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario, Hands Up for Youth!
The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario is the leading organization in the province providing support and services to those with SB&H. Along with support and services, the Association provides referrals and programming for children, youth, parents and adults who must cope with the unique challenges of the disease. They have helped over 100,000 people manage and learn about SB&H since 1973.

St. John’s Rehab Foundation, Ambulatory (Outpatient) Care Program
Since 1937, St. John’s Rehab Foundation has offered leading care for the most complex rehabilitation needs. Today this includes recovery from amputations, cardiovascular surgery, traumatic injuries, strokes, neurological conditions, cancer, and major orthopedic conditions. It is also home to Ontario’s only burn rehabilitation program and Canada’s only organ transplant rehabilitation program. St. John’s is a 160 bed hospital caring for about 2,600 inpatients annually and operates a comprehensive outpatient program with about 41,000 visits per year.

Bridgepoint Health Foundation, Bridgepoint Hospital Seating Clinic
Founded in 1860 by the City of Toronto as a “House of Refuge”, today the Bridgepoint Health Foundation is devoted to providing complex care and rehabilitation to Toronto’s sick and disadvantaged. Bridgepoint patients have had their lives changed by complex chronic disease – such as cancer, advanced diabetes, renal failure, HIV/AIDS, brain injury and multiple sclerosis. They may be hospitalized for months at a time, recovering from strokes, heart attacks, serious infections and complicated surgeries. At Bridgepoint, patients receive specialized care and rehabilitation that helps them live as independently as possible.

Camp Awakening , Canoe-Tripping Program
Camp Awakening is an outdoor recreation program for youth with physical disabilities operating out of two “mainstream” summer camps – Kilcoo Camp for boys and Camp Oconto for girls. Their campers have a wide range of disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, juvenile arthritis, acquired brain injury, vision and hearing impairment and amputation. Camp Awakening is committed to helping young people with physical disabilities realize their full potential, increase self-esteem and become independent and active members of the community.

Campers succeed in conquering new challenges at their own pace and at their own level of ability. They enjoy wilderness activities through our canoe tripping program, and numerous in-camp activities like swimming, sailing, kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, tennis, archery and handicrafts.

More Information
Learn more about James Rutley Grand Memorial Fund ››