Markham Stouffville Review, May 2024

10 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY MAY 2024
Provincial grant lights up hope for families with special needs
Jiang and her team for this well-deserved
recognition and their unwavering commitment
to our community.”
Gifted People Services is committed to
improving the lives of Canadians affected
by developmental disabilities as well as
their families.
Established in August 2012, Gifted
People Services has been serving the community
for 12 years and more than 1000
families in GTA. Gifted People Services is
offering more events to raise awareness of
Autism Spectrum Disorder. For more information,
visit the website: www.giftedpeopleser.org
“Non-profit organizations across
Ontario deliver programming that makes a
difference,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of
Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Our government
wants to ensure that these programs
and spaces remain the heart of communities
across our province.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s
(OTF) mission is to build healthy and
vibrant communities across Ontario. As an
agency of the Government of Ontario, and
one of Canada’s leading granting foundations,
last year, OTF invested over $110M
into 1,022 community projects and partnerships.
Visit otf.ca to learn more.
(l-r): MPP Logan Kanapthi, Gifted People Services executive director Dianna Jiang, and
OTF member Janice McGurran.
The team at Gifted People Service were
ecstatic with the recent announcement of
its $135,500 capital grant coming from the
provincial government’s Ontario Trillim
Foundation (OTF) .
The money will help provide kids with
special needs with accessibility upgrades
in therapeutic spaces, sensory rooms, and
bathrooms to enhance the use of the organization’s
spaces and facilities.
“The impact of this Ontario government
grant cannot be over stated,” said
Dianna Jiang, Executive Director of Gifted
People Services. “This grant has allowed
needed renovations to be made. Now we can
accommodate more kids with special needs,
and their parents will have more access to
our free programs and services.”
According to the Canadian Medical
Association Journal, Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD) affects approximately 1 in 36
children and youth aged 5-17 years, the situation
has significantly deteriorated after the
pandemic. There are not enough therapeutic
facilities and spaces for children with ASD
as well as their families or caregivers in the
community.
“I’m thrilled to celebrate the $135,500
Capital grant awarded to Gifted Peoples Services
by the Ontario Trillium Foundation,”
MPP Logan Kanapathi said. “This funding
is a testament to their exceptional work in
creating accessible spaces for children with
special needs. Congratulations to Dianna
Providing dog guides to those in need
The Lions Club is organizing a Pet
Valu Walk for Dog Guides on May 25.
The Walk for Dog Guides has been a
project of the Stouffville Lions for several
years. Lion Carl Vanseader has led the
project for the last five years. “By helping
provide Dog Guides to local Stouffville area
residents who have medical or physical disabilities
is very satisfying and rewarding,”
says Vanseader.
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog
Guides (LFCDG) is a national charity created
by the Lions of Canada. All Dog Guides
and required training, including transportation
and accommodation, are provided at no
cost to qualified applicants. LFCDG does
not receive any government funding and
relies on the support of fundraising events
like the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides.
The Stouffville Lions walk starts at 10
a.m. at Latcham Hall, and the Markham Lions
walk begins at 9 a.m. at Grace Anglican
Church. Plan on arriving earlier to register.
Treats and lout bags will be available
for the walkers and dogs.
Visit walkfordogguides.com and click
on the local Stouffville or Markham walk
for more information or to donate.