Sahil Hassan said the youth programming of the John Howard Society of York Region made a huge impact on his life.
Hassan recounted how the counselling help he received as part of the social service organization's Healthy Youth Preventive Education program (HYPE), and from program facilitator Arielle Boshi, got him on the right path.
“I was going through a lot of personal problems. I noticed I was going down the wrong path. I was struggling with my self-esteem and I just needed someone to understand,” Hassan said, adding the HYPE program made him feel comfortable. “I learned how to control my emotions, also how to talk to people. My life is so peaceful now.”
The provincial government celebrated the work of the John Howard Society of York Region at its Newmarket office today, Oct. 7, along with the impact of the funding it has received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Over the past two years, the government foundation has granted $289,700 through the Resilient Communities fund to help with staffing and administrative costs of the organization’s youth and adult programming.
John Howard Society of York Region executive director Shannon Spiers said the support enables it to provide the most effective programming to its clients.
“Partnerships like this one help us make tangible and meaningful change throughout our region, which increases positive outcomes for those we serve,” Spiers said.
The organization received a two-year $100,000 grant for its HYPE program in 2022, used to expand the program to meet the mental health needs of York Region youth. The HYPE program has helped more than 350 youth receive support. In 2023, it received an ongoing two-year grant of $189,700 for its RESET program, which provides wrap-around support to its adult clients.
Ontario Trillium Foundation grant review team member Yash Kapur said he is pleased the grants have been able to help the organization.
“We are focused on helping to build healthy and vibrant communities through our grant-making,” he said. “I think we have taken two more positive steps toward that goal.”
Newmarket-Aurora MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy said the government is proud to support the society “and the positive impact they are having right here in Newmarket, Aurora and throughout York Region.”
“I am confident this funding … will enable JHSYR to continue to make a positive difference right here in our community,” she said.
