Community Well-Being News
FALL 2023
| |
|
Fall represents a time of harvest. Gathering the crops, honouring abundance through festivals, fairs, and seasonal celebrations. It's also a time for preserving - canning, pickling, storing - and planning for the future and the cooler months ahead.
Our fall newsletter has a bumper crop of information and news you can use to stay active in community throughout the fall, plan fun events for the family and mark dates on your calendar for community engagement, find funding for a project, or making connections to help shape our future.
| |
HCIA Annual Meeting - Join our Leadership Council!
Thursday October 19, 2023 7-9pm
Mono Community Centre
| |
Registration extended to October 16th!
Join Headwaters Communities in Action (HCIA) for our Annual Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 7-9pm. Learn about our hosted initiatives and how you can get involved in shaping a thriving community. Don't miss this chance to spark new connections with fellow community members and make a positive impact in the Headwaters region. Apply to our Leadership Council! Join this dynamic group of leaders and champions who are helping create more connected communities. Nominations are being accepted now via our website or email action@headwaterscommunities.org.
| |
Welcome our Newest Hosted Project: GrandPals! | |
Headwaters Communities in Action (HCIA) recently became a local affiliate for Dufferin, for the delivery of GrandPals, an intergenerational program that connects an elementary school class with a small team of GrandPals (adults 55+) to engage in weekly, open conversations providing a path for connection and learning through storytelling. GrandPals National Program is managed and funded by the Centre for Studies in Aging and Health (CSAH) at Providence Care. Find out more on the GrandPals website, or email Program Coordinator Ann Fenton with any questions.
Please join us in welcoming Ann, Marc, Jules, Sarah and the whole GrandPals team as the latest addition to the HCIA family!
| |
Community Safety & Well-Being
Survey and Engagement
| |
|
What makes life good? How are we all doing? What are the things that really matter to our community? How can we improve things, together?
This fall, the Dufferin County Community Safety & Well-Being (CSWB) Integration Table - a group of more than 30 people representing service agencies, government and local charities - will be conducting a community-wide survey and gathering data to take the temperature of our community. This important research helps inform municipal plans, agency services and community programs offered to Dufferin residents. It will influence businesses, policies and advocacy efforts over the next four years. Make sure that this information represents YOU and what is important to you.
Watch for the launch of the survey, participate in a consultation event, and maybe even become a community champion and help engage others in conversations about the things that matter most.
| |
Plan a Fall Trip with Headwaters Farm Fresh Guide | |
Fall is the perfect time to plot a course for farm fresh local produce, baked goods and craft beverages. Pick up some all-natural decor for your porch including corn stalks, straw bales and pick out a few extra pumpkins too! Using the 2023 Headwaters Farm Fresh guide, you'll find farm gate stores, farmers' markets, agri-entertainment venues and more. Don't just come for the changing leaves, discover all the beautiful farms in Headwaters too, and get to know our incredible farmers.
Available in print and online.
| |
October is Farm to School Month | |
|
The International Plowing Match and the Dufferin Farm Tour were successful events that featured some excellent educational experiences from our farming friends. Keep that momentum going with Headwaters Food & Farming Alliance's Farm to School Programs. Farmer in the School, Farmer in a Box, Farmer in the Field - we've got you covered for in-person, at home or virtual learning. Give your students community connections and curriculum-tied, hands-on experiences growing, preparing, eating and celebrating local foods. Browse lesson plans and food literacy curriculum at foodisscience.ca. Run your own farm fresh fundraiser. Start a salad bar. Grow sprouts in class.
Ask about our Farm to School Lending Library featuring kits, supplies and resources you can borrow for growing, cooking and exploring local foods. Contact F2S today.
| |
Have Your Say - School Food Edition
The Coalition for Healthy School Food is encouraging Canadians to take action to secure access to healthy, nutritious food for all students. We have until October 20th to sign their petition to help make sure Canada implements a National School Food Program. To add your voice, follow the link below to sign the petition today!
#NourishKidsNow
| |
Have Your Say - Hwy 413 Edition
Despite a recent reprieve, the fight for the Greenbelt continues. And the proposed Hwy 413 route through Caledon is on the radar of the David Suzuki Foundation.
Environmental Defence is hosting its second Harvest Walk on Saturday, October 14th, 2023.
| |
Have Your Say - Volunteer Research Edition
Volunteer Dufferin was approached to help distribute a survey for University of Lethbridge Professor Walter Wymer, who is conducting an academic study about volunteer retention. "Studies like this one can inform our decisions regarding meeting our volunteer staffing needs", said Wymer. Have your volunteering intentions changed post-pandemic?
| |
Harvesting Resources - Finding Funding
Many funders who support local projects in Dufferin have grant intakes open now. Get your idea some fertilizer!
| |
|
Dufferin Community Foundation is taking applications for its fall grants program, with a focus on arts & culture and the environment. There are 4 grants for $2,500 each funding arts and culture programs, events and performances, and 1 $3,000 grant from the Environment Fund available for programs, projects and research. All programs must take place in Dufferin County.
Application Deadline: Monday, October 16, 2023 at 5pm
| |
|
United Way is now accepting applications for funding from community service organizations in the following funding streams:
Funding to be allocated between April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2026.
Application Deadline: Monday, October 30, 2023 at 11:59 pm
| |
|
The Resilient Communities Fund supports community-based organizations that deliver programs and services in Ontario and need funding to recover and build capacity, resilience and sustainability.
Eligible applicants can apply for a grant to develop and implement medium to long-term plans that address current organizational challenges they are facing to recover and build resilience.
Application Deadline:
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 5pm
| |
|
Be an Engaged Citizen
Are you interested in "Making life better together"?
If you are passionate about your community, turn that passion into action with HCIA.
Let's connect! We look forward to meeting you.
| |
|
More ways to let your voice be heard
Visit your local municipality's website to learn more about how you can get involved, have your say, and make a difference right where you live!
| |
Connect with our hosted projects | | | | |
