Impact Stories

In early June 2024, Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London took their regular school trip to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary commemoration of D-Day, a pivotal battle in World War II. The school has a relationship with the Parkwood Institute that allows their students to volunteer for St. Joseph’s Veterans Care Program (VCP) . Students who take this opportunity build relationships with the residents at the VCP, most of whom served in World War II and/or the Korean War, while also learning more about Canada’s military history.

I’m pleased to share London Community Foundation’s 2024 Vital Signs Report, now available in full onlineor as a printed copy from our office in Covent Garden Market.

Vital Signs is a biennial report published by the Foundation that looks at some of London and Middlesex County’s more pressing issues through data and the experiences of experts and people of lived experience in our community. This year’s report highlights the need to accelerate equity-seeking work to create a community where everyone can thrive.

The Vision SoHo mix-used housing development in London has received the 2024 PlanON Vision Award of Merit in recognition of its “collaborative partnerships to deliver affordable housing to priority community groups, while preserving city heritage buildings.”

SARI Therapeutic Riding is an organization that many London Community Foundation fundholders and donors will be familiar with. While you might know about their Adopt-A-Pony or Paddock Partner initiatives, you might not know that SARI has held a Registered Charity Fund of its own at the Foundation for nearly 25 years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, community service organizations across Canada faced significant challenges. To support these groups as they adapted to the pandemic’s long-term impacts, Community Foundations of Canada, Canadian Red Cross, and United Way Centraide Canada collaborated to distribute a one-time investment of $400 million from the Government of Canada through the Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF).

The John Howard Society of London and District is a not-for-profit, community service organization dedicated to helping individuals and families at risk of conflict, or who have conflicted with the law in and around London since 1947.

In the heart of London, Urban Roots London stands as a beacon of hope, addressing vital issues of food security, well-being, education, and the environment. Founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality, nutritious food, Urban Roots is pioneering innovative solutions that extend beyond mere sustenance, emphasizing the right to choose food aligned with individual needs and preferences.

Regional HIV/AIDS Connection is using their $67,000, one-year Community Vitality grant to collaborate with grassroots groups and community leaders to support the well-being of London’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, especially people disproportionately impacted by systemic oppression, by creating new joy-centred spaces, opportunities, and resources that provide connection, affirmation, and visibility. These robust community development efforts will focus on providing vibrant and diverse social gatherings, investing in local 2SLGBTQIA+ talent, and fostering future sustainability through volunteer engagement, project impact evaluation, and mentorship opportunities.