The Anglican Foundation of Canada announced in late November that 11 applicants from the Diocese of Ottawa would receive a total of $52,800 in grants from the foundation.
Seven of those projects are part of the foundation’s Say Yes to Kids program. They will receive $33,300 in funding.
Across the country, the Foundation approved 79 Say Yes to Kids applications. The new executive director of the foundation, Scott Brubacher, said in a Zoom gathering that he believes the $468,345 grant total is one of the larges investments in children and youth ministry in the history of the Canadian church.
“I’d like to thank everyone in the Diocese of Ottawa for being so enthusiastic both in the fundraising this spring and in the creativity you showed in preparing your applications,” he said.
“This is truly great news,” said Jane Scanlon, director of communications and stewardship for the Diocese of Ottawa, thanking Brubacher and the staff and board of directors for the foundation for all the thought, creativity and positive energy that they have put into the Say Yes to Kids program, and for the AFC’s generosity. “Here at the Diocese of Ottawa we are thrilled to be the recipients of so many grants. These initiatives will have a big impact in our diocese,” said Scanlon.
Church of the Ascension in Ottawa is launching Rising Up: Art, Kids and Community, “Our program aims to bring together kids from our own parish with kids from our community to do some great, creative work around expressive movement, visual arts, and community building,” said the Rev. Rhonda Waters, who was on hand for the announcement. She added that a team of adult volunteers will make it a multi-generational project. It will start in Feb. 2022.
Other projects that received funding were:
- Epiphany Anglican Church Ottawa — Confirmation Choir $3,800
- Kid-Safe Productions Incorporated — Ottawa Pandemic Burnout Help for Children & Families Through Drama, Spirituality & Music $5,000
- Ottawa Diocesan Youth — Kairos Blanket Exercise Indigenous reconciliation $5,000
- Anglican Diocese of Ottawa — Training for Spiritual Care in Secondary Schools Resilience & Mental Health $5,000
- St. Albans Anglican Church Ottawa —Not So Post Pandemic Gatherings Resilience & Mental Health $4,500
- Ottawa East Deanery & Epiphany Anglican — Acts of Kindness youth outreach project $5,000
The Community Ministry St. Luke’s Table is also awarded a grant to help with renovations to better serve vulnerable people in the community — $15,000
Three bursaries were also awarded to Karen McBride, Robert Albert, and John Holgate.
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