Alzheimer Society of Durham Region secures OFT grant to recover post-pandemic

DENYSE NEWTON, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Durham Region

DURHAM: At the end of last year, the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region (ASDR) received a nine-month, $93,700 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. ASDR is using funds from the grant to move forward after the impact of COVID-19.

“This investment will allow the Alzheimer’s Society of Durham Region to rebuild and recover from impacts of COVID-19 by developing new organizational business and fundraising plans. As well as ensuring the future sustainability for the delivery of valuable programs and services across the Region of Durham,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby.

The changing realities over the last year have been unprecedented, especially for the more than 240,000 people in Ontario living with dementia. The new plan will ensure that post-pandemic ASDR is able to grow and respond to the new and emerging needs of those living with dementia in Durham Region and their families and caregivers.

“Adapting and continuing to serve our clients and their families and caregivers have been our priority since the onset of COVID-19,” said Denyse Newton, ASDR’s CEO. “Over the last year, ASDR has transformed how we deliver programs and services by successfully implementing virtual platforms, which has now become the norm. We are excited by the potential and the opportunity to engage with clients in new ways.”

In addition to the service environment, COVID-19 has impacted ASDR’s fundraising efforts and ability to host community events. The grant will help ASDR improve access to alternate sources of funding and revenue for its many vital programs.

“The impact of the grant cannot be underestimated,” explained Newton, “A new strategic business plan and fundraising strategy will ensure we continue to provide excellent, quality services to our clients and partners while managing the need to respond to [the] growing demand for services in a tough fiscal environment.”

Founded in 1979, the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region is a multi-service, registered charitable organization providing education, support, respite and recreational opportunities for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias and their care partners and families. Additionally, ASDR is a leading source of dementia education for healthcare agencies and the general public. All programs and services are focused upon improving the quality of life, regardless of where the individual and family may be at in their dementia journey. To learn more about ASDR’s programming, please contact information@alzheimerdurham.com.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $115 million to 644 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.