Luke’s Place receives Resilient Communities Fund grant to support women’s pandemic recovery
(Durham Region, ON) – On Tuesday April 26th, local MPP Lorne Coe met virtually with the team at Luke’s Place to congratulate on receiving critical family violence pandemic recovery funds, with a $132,000 Resilient Communities grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation awarded in 2021. The Resilient Communities Fund was developed to help non-profit organizations recover and rebuild from the impact of COVID-19 to continue meeting the needs of Ontario communities.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Government has been supporting those struggling the most,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby. That’s why it’s been a priority for our Government to fund successful programs like the Resilient Communities Fund, which helps non-profits like Luke’s Place adapt and grow – ensuring they continue to provide the best services and programs possible, and make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families across the Region of Durham.”
Through this project, Luke’s Place was able to review and identify the new and continuing challenges that exist for abuse survivors who are or may be involved with family court; determine barriers and needs for staff, legal support volunteers and volunteer lawyers; identify and implement new training and practices; and upgrade physical workspaces to enhance technology accessibility for women and to comply with Infection Prevention and Control policies.
“I am thrilled Luke’s Place has received this much-needed funding, so that we can continue to safely serve abused women and their children, making adaptations to our physical space, as well as rebuilding our services delivery strategies as a result of the pandemic,” said Carol Barkwell, Executive Director, Luke’s Place.
If you are interested in learning more about Luke’s Place services, please visit our website at LukesPlace.ca. Luke’s Place works with women who have been subjected to abuse to support them and their children through the family law process. We provide women, their children and their communities with specialized services, resources and information about family law and woman abuse. Luke’s Place envisions a family law system that promotes healthy, safe families, living free from abuse and the threat of abuse.
OTF is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Quick Facts
- Luke’s Place was founded because of the tragic death of Luke, a three-and-a-half-year-old Durham boy, killed by his father during his first unsupervised access visit.
- Luke’s Place served 1,000 women in Durham Region last year.
- Luke’s Place shares its expertise with thousands of service providers across Ontario and Canadathrough training, resources, and mentoring.
- Luke’s Place was the recipient of the Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction in 2020-21.
- Luke’s Place Support & Resource Centre for Women & Children
Additional Resources
