Durham Region announces first recipients of para sport grant

Whitby, Ontario – In celebration of this week’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Regional Municipality of Durham is announcing the first five recipients of the Durham Region Para Sport and Recreation Opportunities Fund, in partnership with Durham Community Foundation.

 The five recipients of funds are:

• Precious Minds Support Services for its Fitness Zone Swim Program. The program will teach youth with autism critical water safety and swimming skills.
• Durham College Athletics toward the purchase of sitting volleyball nets. Durham College is partnering with ParaSport Ontario to host the inaugural college/university sitting volleyball competition in March 2025 during the Canadian College Athletic Association Women’s Volleyball Championship.
• J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate and the Durham District School Board toward the purchase of a racing wheelchair so that more students with disabilities may participate in track and field competitions. Last year, J. Clarke Richardson brought 11 para athletes to the provincial high school championships.
• Abilities Centre and the Abilities Centre Eagles wheelchair basketball program for a wheelchair basketball tournament for three development groups. This will provide teams the opportunity to apply the skills learned at practice.
• Lacrossing Barriers in partnership with Their Opportunity toward the launch of their All Abilities and All Possibilities Adaptive and Inclusive Lacrosse Program in Durham Region.

The Durham Region Para Sport and Recreation Opportunities Fund was launched in September 2024 alongside the Durham Region Para Sport and Recreation Legacy Fund as a legacy of the Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games. Details on the funds and the application process are available at: DurhamCommunityFoundation.ca/Parasport.

Quotes

“Congratulations to these five organizations for being chosen as the first recipients of the Durham Region Para Sport and Recreation Opportunities Fund. Empowering individuals of all abilities through sport and recreation was a key goal of the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games. I am thrilled to see para sport opportunities and participation grow in Durham Region.”

– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham

 “We’re proud to see the ripple effect of hosting the Ontario Parasport Games and our community support for inclusive sport. We have local para sport athletes participating in six new para sports since the Games concluded.”

– Lori Talling, Co-Chair, Donor Committee, Durham Region Para Sport & Recreation Funds

 “We’re pleased to support these five organizations that are growing para sport opportunities and participation in Durham Region. This year’s theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.” We’re long-time advocates of the theme as exemplified by the make up of our donor committee with four of our seven members having a disability and three of them being former high performance para sport athletes.”

– Don Terry, Co-Chair, Donor Committee, Durham Region Para Sport & Recreation Funds

Quick Facts

• Region of Durham has partnered with Durham Community Foundation (DCF) to launch two funds as a legacy of the Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games.
• The Durham Region Para Sport & Recreation Opportunities Fund is having an immediate impact. It started with a total of $25,000 available to be granted until that amount is exhausted.
• The Durham Region Para Sport & Recreation Legacy Fund is an $85,000 permanent endowment to be invested by DCF with interest earned to be granted annually in perpetuity. Applications open in June 2025.
• Eligible applicants include charitable organizations who are building new programs, enhancing existing programs, hosting events, or acquiring equipment and infrastructure for para sport and recreation opportunities to benefit residents of Durham Region. Non-profit sport and recreation organizations are encouraged to partner with local charitable organizations on grant applications.

-30-

 For media requests, please contact CorporateCommunications@durham.ca