Local women’s organization receives Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to rebuild after COVID-19
On Wednesday, December 14th, community members, participants, staff, and board members of Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. gathered to celebrate the $150,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
“Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor has been providing essential training services to those women in our community who need it most for many years now. The organization was clearly deserving of this Resilient Communities Fund grant from OTF and I congratulate everyone involved.”
Lisa Gretzky MPP Windsor West
Since its inception, WEST has been committed to programming that enables women experiencing challenges and/ or barriers to employment the opportunity to achieve success. Powered by the OTF grant, the funding was used to support the organization to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. This was achieved through supporting staffing costs, renovations, and equipment purchases for safe in-person delivery of a digital skills training program. New equipment included upgraded computers, desks, and chairs, along with other technological enhancements, including a Smartboard.
“We have been so fortunate to be able to remodel our computer lab with the latest and greatest computers and all the peripherals needed to be able to engage in learning activities that our clients need to be able to be prepared to enter into the workforce with confidence in their technology skills,” said Brandi Burgess, a Computer Instructor at WEST. “We have the tools and software they need to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning. We have an amazing new Smartboard that increases engagement, and ease of instruction. With the new set up we can easily deliver training in person, online, or hybrid as the need arises.”
The OTF grant has also assisted with other strategic enhancements, including updating a communications strategy to improve the organization’s work and outcomes. This plan will serve as a blueprint for the organization to proactively promote its programs, reaching target audiences and further the organization’s impact throughout the community.
“This grant came at the right time to complement our return to in-person services,” said Rose Anguiano Hurst, WEST Executive Director. “The Resiliency Fund grant offered the funding for the solutions we identified we needed to offer an improved environment with innovative training solutions in a safe environment so we can continue our work helping some of the most vulnerable in the community support their employment and training needs.”
Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) exists to provide training for women to improve their employability in the workforce and/or further their education.
Since 1987, Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc (WEST) has provided 50,000 women in Windsor-Essex with support and programs to aid them in securing employment, enhancing their skills, along with providing newcomer and immigrant women with services designed to help them adapt and integrate into Canadian culture and their new community.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grantmaking in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
