Trillium grant helps Oakville Community Classroom move online
Published February 2, 2022 at 4:44 pm
The Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) was able to move its Community Classroom online thanks to a 2018 investment from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
The three-year $222,100 OTF Grow grant helped the expand the program which provides free local arts, culture and heritage programming to students in publicly-funded schools.
The funding helped OCF re-launch the Community Classroom Online in January with brand new interactive videos and live-streamed events.
“Our government is delighted to make this investment in the Oakville Community Foundation’s Community Classroom as providing high quality online programming to our youth is so important during these challenging days,” Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford said.
OCF has supported more than a dozen community organizations involved in Community Classroom as a result of the funding and enables them to provide innovative online programming at no charge to teachers and students.
This month, live-stream and online programming will include specialized learning opportunities for Black History Month.
Videos
The Canadian Caribbean Association will present an online pre-recorded steel-pan demonstration and mini concert for students of all ages.
As well, the Oakville Museum will host a live-stream presentation to help Grade 6 students explore the Underground Railroad and how Oakville Harbour played a significant role in the journey to Canada for many freedom-seekers.
The online program will also offer Indigenous-focused programs this February.
Inuk singer/songwriter and Officer of the Order of Canada Susan Aglukark will live stream Nomad – Correcting the Narrative, a 60-minute multimedia presentation on Canadian Inuit history.
This live presentation will take place Feb. 9 for Grades 5-8 and Feb. 10 for Grades 9-12.
“We feel so fortunate to be the recipient of this grant from OTF as it has allowed us to support local arts, culture and heritage partners while also providing local learning opportunities for our students,” said Frances Pace, Director of Fundholder and Community Engagement.
“Through a shift to Community Classroom Online we have continued to educate our community, celebrate diversity and ensure free, accessible and much-needed programming for local students during these difficult times.”
Programming is available on the Community Classroom Online webpage. Teachers can book live-streams through the teacher site. If you are interested in supporting Community Classroom, you can donate through theocf.org.
The Oakville Community Foundation is a local charitable solutions provider. The Foundation has granted more than $53 million to support charities locally and beyond.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships.
