Bruce Power is marking Giving Tuesday, by donating $50,000 to the REACH Centre Grey Bruce to help it secure a safe space for programming for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's part of the company's $1 million Be a Light: Beating COVID-19 Together campaign.
Donated space the organization previously used was shut down at the onset of the pandemic, forcing the agency to shift to remote support, and then modified programming in two short term locations. Due to space restrictions to ensure physical distancing, there is a waitlist for families to participate in the program. With no place for program delivery in 2021, the organization sought community support to purchase a building in Owen Sound.
Between Bruce Power and other donors, the organization has raised $275,000 towards purchasing a building in Owen Sound to provide a safe space and stabilize the supports for these youth and their caregivers. There remains a shortfall of $75,000 in order to acquire the accessible equipment and furniture.
Government-funded agencies mostly remain closed, leaving REACH, which receives no government funding, to try to fill those gaps. Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce has agreed to help retrofit the building and make accessibility upgrades.
“The agency has been profoundly impacted by COVID-19 and our families are in crisis,” said Jennifer Miller, Executive Director at the REACH Centre Grey Bruce. “This population, despite being remarkably resilient, does not accept change well. Thanks to the generous donation from Bruce Power, we have been able to secure a forever home for our program.”
“We recognize the tremendous impact COVID-19 has had on us all, but it has been especially hard on our most vulnerable populations and their families,” said Dwight Irwin, Acting Manager of Community Relations, Bruce Power. “Our Be a Light campaign is aimed at battling the pandemic, while at the same time supporting those who have been most impacted. The work the REACH Centre does is vital to our community and the families it serves, and we are happy to contribute to a new space for their program.”
Bruce Power is challenging the community to do what they can to support a local not-for-profit organization on Giving Tuesday.
