Brighton’s Sunny Days Group Program has expanded with a new van thanks to a $91,500 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. /Sarah Hyatt/MBC
With help from the province and Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Resilient Communities Fund, Brighton’s Sunny Days Group Program has expanded and enhanced its programming and services for adults with disabilities.
Elected officials, including Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini and Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander, alongside Sunny Days members and volunteers, Peter Dounoukos, a member of the Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge grant review team with the OTF, and others, recently gathered at the 1 Young St. Sunny Days’ location to officially celebrate the expansion and delve into benefits.
“Community-based programs are essential to building stronger, more inclusive communities,” says Piccini. “By creating a safe, welcoming space where individuals with unique challenges can grow, gain confidence and access vital support, Sunny Days Group Program is making a real difference in people’s lives.
“Our government is proud to stand behind community-led initiatives that prioritize well-being and belonging for everyone.”
Piccini tells us more.
The $91,500 grant, which enabled the purchase of the 15-seat passenger van, was part of $105 million invested into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships last year through the OTF to support healthier and more vibrant communities across the province, explains Dounoukos.
In Brighton’s case, the grant also helped with licence- and insurance-related costs.
As officials gathered recently, Dounoukos was among those who were ecstatic to hear first-hand how the van is making a difference and helping to keep residents more connected to their community.
Jim Emptage is one of the Sunny Days Group Program’s four volunteer directors and tells us the organization currently serves about 31 adults with disabilities in the community.
The new van has helped with bowling trips, tours to parks or sports games, trips down to Presqu’ile or to Belleville and Campbellford, as just a few examples.
Before, with limited public transportation, Emptage says getting around was a challenge in staff cars and the geographical circle was fairly limited to the Brighton area.
In other words, the circle of cultural, educational and recreational activities people can now participate in has increased, explains Emptage, who’s also sharing a “heartfelt” thank you for recent help.
Emptage tells us more about how the organization operates and fundraising efforts.
This would’ve been pretty hard to accomplish through bottle drives, adds Emptage.
Piccini says non-profits like Sunny Days are what keeps rural communities going, and that it was incredible to hear how the van is helping people get out into the community and beyond.
“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like the Sunny Days Group Program deliver experiences that make a difference,” adds Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important.
“This funding will help ensure that it remains at the heart of the community for decades to come.”
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
