Thanks to a $136,000 Trillium grant, Big Brothers Big Sisters Chatham-Kent officially unveiled its renovated space on Friday.
The project, which was completed in May, will give community members a more inviting, safer and cleaner space to access caseworker staff and get involved in mentoring services, the local agency stated.
Amanda Clark, executive director, said the renovations were much needed and wouldn’t have been possible without the grant.
“The space feels more like home,” she told The Daily News.
The office, located at 137 Queen St. in Chatham, has opened to allow collaborative meetings, a safe client room, additional storage and updated utilities to ensure the space is as green as possible.
With a staff of four including herself, Clark said the organization is always looking for more volunteers, noting they assist more than 300 kids each year.
“Our office is small. Our team is small. But we make a big difference,” she said.
Trevor Jones, Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP, praised the agency’s work in a media release, calling it a valued service for young people in the community.
“Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent has been a consistent and unwavering support,” he said.
“This generous grant from the esteemed Ontario Trillium Foundation extends far beyond physical renovations. It emphasizes the paramount importance of championing these young individuals, whose success and wellbeing are intrinsically linked to the prosperity and vitality of our entire community.”
Anyone wishing to learn more about the programs available, or to volunteer, can visit chathamkent.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca, or call the office at 519-351-1582.