The Agapè Centre was giving an early Christmas present on Tuesday morning with the announcement of a sizeable grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Over the next three years the agency will receive $150,000 which will go towards creating two contract positions.
The new research and development coordinator will oversee fundraising initiatives and research sustainability options for the centre, whereas the new sorting coordinator will sort and organize the donations of clothing and miscellaneous items for the thrift shop, as well as launch a brand-new fundraising technology: mobile giving.
“Thanks to grants such as this one from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we will be able to enhance the organization’s ability to raise funds and increase the Thrift Store’s sales revenues, said Alyssa Blais, executive director, Agapè Centre. With a dedicated person committed to developing a much needed sustainability plan, we hope to utilize our internal resources more efficiently and effectively. We are thankful for the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s commitment to meet essential community needs.”
“The funding today is about a celebrating the passion, the vision and commitment of the community,” said Paulette Hébert, Ontario Trillium foundation local grant review team volunteer, who encouraged the community to get involved and to volunteer.
For close to a decade, the Agapè Centre has provided basic needs – food, clothing, and furniture - to approximately 1000 people in the community each month.
I am very pleased that through this grant the Ontario Trillium Foundation is supporting the Agapè Centre’s mission, and they will be better able to meet the needs of our community, stated MPP Jim McDonell.
For further information about the positions offered, contact Agapè Centre operations manager, Lori Greer at 613-933-4971 or email lgreer@agapecentre.ca.
