Trillium funding means new program for Land O’ Lakes Community Services

Cheryl Hartwick | Feb 18, 2010

Thanks to an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, LOLCS, along with other community partners, is developing a Child and Youth Transportation program.

The goal of the program is: “To improve the quality of life and provide community inclusion for children and youth (up to age 21 and still in school) in Addington Highlands Township and part of North Frontenac Township by providing transportation to those who otherwise would not have access to medical appointments, community and school events.”

Some examples of the community and school events that more youth will be able to participate in are: the Teen Zone, in Kaladar; After School program at North Addington Education Centre; the CO-OP Education program at North Addington Education Centre; Lennox & Addington Resources for Children – day programs, just to name a few.

The community partners who make up the transportation committee are: North Addington Education Centre, The Teen Zone, Healthy Initiatives (after school program), as well as Pathways for Children and Youth, Lennox & Addington Family and Children’s Services, Prince Edward, Lennox & Addington Social Services, Land O’ Lakes Community Services and members from the community.

The committee has hired two part-time, program co-ordinators, Natalie Tryon and Cheryl Hartwick, to develop policies and procedures, fundraise, recruit, and train volunteer drivers. We have almost completed the policies and procedures and have begun some fund-raising efforts – we will be running a volleyball tournament on March 5 from 3pm to 11pm (if interested in putting a team in call Natalie at 613-336-1520).

If you have some spare time, or you already drive your own children to some of these community programs, maybe you would be interested in volunteering to drive other children. Helping others to participate more in the community, helping to build better and brighter futures and building better community programs are just a few of the many rewards you can gain from volunteering.

We have received our first donation to the program (to help fund the drives). Hayley Lamont, a student from North Addington Education Centre, raised some money as part of her Civics class and chose to donate it to the Child and Youth Transportation Program. Youth helping youth – there is nothing better than that.

If you are interested in becoming a driver or donating to the program please contact Natalie or Cheryl at Land O’ Lakes Community Services – 613-336-8934.