Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund Supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara

April 25, 2025

Niagara Falls – Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, congratulated Erin Graybiel, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara, today, as a recipient of $161,700 in funding received through the Resilient Communities Fund of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“I want to congratulate Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara as recipients of $161,700 from the Ontario government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said MPP Oosterhoff.

“This provincial funding recognizes the important efforts of Big Brothers Big Sisters in cultivating community mentorship and healthy relationships across our region and for all young people in Niagara to realize their full potential.”

The grant through the Resilient Communities Fund is supporting the development and implementation of a business-focused volunteer recruitment and retention strategy to meet increased demand for mentors in the community.

“This support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation will have a lasting impact on our organization,” said Erin Graybiel.

“Since the pandemic, we have seen a dramatic decrease in the number of individuals coming forward to be mentoring volunteers. This funding has been critical to expanding our recruitment efforts.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara has been making a meaningful difference in the lives of youth ages six to eighteen, and young parents up to age twenty-five through mentoring programs across the region. Youth with mentors are more likely to graduate from high school, go to university, secure meaningful employment and have on average higher incomes.

“Non-profit organizations across Ontario deliver programming that makes a difference,” said Hon. Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.

“That is why funding that my Ministry is providing through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. Our government wants to ensure that these programs and spaces remain the heart of communities across our province.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, the foundation invested nearly $105 million into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment.