Tatiana Zdyb’s childhood was far from typical. Homeschooled with her brother and sister in Toronto by her Polish parents, it was only when she started her undergraduate studies at Western that she experienced proper schooling for the first time.
Read MoreAs the One River environmental assessment so eloquently states, the Thames River is both our inheritance and our living legacy. I grew up only a stone's throw away from the forks and long assumed that the river and the Blackfriars Bridge must be beloved local gems. And this astonishingly innocent and astigmatic thinking still somewhat lingers within me to this day.
Read MoreIn 1793 on the banks of the Thames River, London was established. For generations, this Canadian heritage waterway supported commercial, cultural and ecological functions that enriched the city. In time, the industrial revolution brought railroads and cars, and the city turned its back on the Thames River.
With this in mind, the London Community Foundation recognized that the natural beauty and underutilized economic value of the riverfront remained a significant missed opportunity. After discussion with politicians and city planners, the LCF embarked on the Back to the River plan.
Read MoreThe holiday season inspires more generosity than any other time of year. Statistics show that 31% of annual giving occurs in December! With that in mind, as we open our hearts and wallets, inspired by the wintery warmth of the holidays, I’d like to share some strategies on how you can turn your giving into a lasting charitable legacy.
Read MoreA community BBQ, a benefit concert at the Aeolian Hall , a silent auction, hundreds of volunteer hours, thousands of dollars in household items and cash donations, and so much more. It was inspiring to see how quickly and enthusiastically our community came together to support the families of Woodman Avenue.
Read MoreFrom the bombast of international musical productions, to the subdued funk of smooth jazz, to the classrooms of Fanshawe College, Duncan Grant was a musician whose versatility and dedication was matched only by his strength of spirit. Passing away after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer, his legacy lives on through his music, his family, and the Duncan Grant Bursary Fund.
Read MoreThousands of women in low-income situations can’t afford period care products and are often forced to make decisions that not only compromise their health, but their dignity. Sarah Askew is working to change that through Mensadora, her social enterprise that manufactures and sells reusable menstrual products.
Read MoreBetween 10 and 20% of Canadian youths are affected by a mental illness or disorder. With wait times for service ranging from a couple of months to over a year, the need for quality, affordable, and accessible mental health care services is apparent now more than ever. So, in 2015, the London Health Sciences Foundation received a $250,000 Community Vitality Grant from LCF for the Transition Age Project (TAP).
Read MoreIn 2015, Cara Schmidt was waiting in her car for the rain to subside while her son, Andrew, was playing soccer. When the rain stopped, she decided to go out and watch by the field, but quickly realized something was wrong.
“I noticed there was a kid down,” says Cara. “It was Andrew. All the kids started to get off the field and at that point I knew something terrible had happened.”
Read MoreThe tragedy of his daughter Julia’s sudden death devastated Murray Hunter, but a desire to heal and help others was born.
“First thing I did was call the Foundation,” says Murray, “I spoke to President & CEO, Martha Powell, and she suggested that the fund should have a narrow focus. I liked gardening, so I thought if I focused on that, I could start the healing process.”
Read MoreIs the Thames a great river? A grand river (pun intended)? For me, the river is an amazing natural treasure. I have walked its shores in quiet contemplation. I have biked alongside it both for commuting to work and for pleasure. I recall attending family reunions in Springbank Park as a child, playing with my cousins down by the river’s banks. I am grateful for these memories. I hope many Londoners have experienced the same opportunities to make memories. I also wish for future generations to be able to experience that we have been offered.
Fortunately, there’s a plan in place to make that wish a reality. A plan to get more of us Back to the River.
Read MoreResidenza Italia, built and run by the Italian Seniors’ Project (ISP), is a seniors’ apartment building that has been operating for 8 years. In addition to the affordable rent it offers its tenants, Residenza Italia was designed to foster a sense of community and to alleviate the loneliness that often comes later in life.
“Anybody can build a square block, fill it with people and close the door,” says Claudio De Vincenzo, Italian Seniors Project board member. “We’re trying to build communities.”
This philosophy is carrying over to ISP’s next undertaking: Residenza Ortona.
Read More“Belonging” is both difficult to define and difficult to measure. It’s something you feel rather than observe.
On March 6, at Museum London’s beautiful Centre at the Forks, London Community Foundation hosted its first Vital Conversation of the year on Belonging, the first of seven events exploring the issue areas outlined in LCF’s Vital Signs report. Drawing upon the expertise of seven speakers and over 50 engaged community members, we tried to get at the heart of what “belonging” means and how we can foster more of it in our community.
Read MorePart of our role as a community foundation is to curate an understanding of community needs, but it can be challenging to connect donors to projects and organizations that align with their values.Part of our role as a community foundation is to curate an understanding of community needs, but it can be challenging to connect donors to projects and organizations that align with their values.
Recognizing this has inspired us to rename and redesign our General Intake portal.
Read MoreBack to the River is in jeopardy as the City’s Strategic Priorities and Policies Committee reviews and revises the new strategic plan for the City of London.
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