Sunday 16 April 2023
OTF Grant Supports Creation of Culturally Informed Mental Health
Courses for Black Communities
Ottawa, ON – On Sunday, New Covenant Apostolic Church celebrated the $150,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant they received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funds were used to create a Culturally Informed Mental Health Awareness Education Platform. “The New Covenant Apostolic Church’s work providing culturally informed mental health support for Black community members in Ottawa, including those who have experienced acts of Gender-Based Violence, is incredibly valuable,” said Joel Harden, MPP for Ottawa Centre. “I am so thankful to see that this incredible resource for our community will continue to grow and support even more neighbours with help from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.”
The project, which was completed in March, created much needed services to provide Black Communities with better access to culturally informed mental health education in the privacy of their own homes. This remote approach allows individuals to receive crucial services while providing them with privacy and reducing stigma, while also increasing access to services by allowing them to be accessible anywhere and at any time.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated, as the ACB population are far less likely to seek mental health care. Unequal access to mental health care and stigma are major contributors to this disparity,” said Mental Health Coordinator, Lesline McEwan. “We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities across the province.”
New Covenant Apostolic Church, African Canadian Black Mental Healthcare for over 20 years has been and continues to be committed to providing culturally informed mental healthcare/support and make it accessible for many community activities over the course of the year. The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships.
Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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More info:
Lesline McEwan, RP, MA, CAMF, Mental Health Coordinator
New Covenant Apostolic Church
613-841-3901
[email protected]