Grant Application Spring

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Organization:
Orillia Public Library

Charitable Registration Number:
10780 3587 RR0001

Name of Fund being applied to:
Smart and Caring Communities Fund

Address:
Orillia Public Library
36 Mississaga Street West
Orillia, ON L3V 3A6

Contact Name:
Melissa Robertson

Title:
Director of Corporate and Operational Services

Email:
mrobertson@orilliapubliclibrary.ca

Phone Number:
705-325-8750

Website:
https://www.orilliapubliclibrary.ca

Amount Requested:
$4000

About the organization:

The Orillia Public Library (OPL) is a trusted, inclusive community hub serving residents of Orillia and surrounding areas. In addition to traditional library services, OPL delivers innovative social support through its award‑winning Human Services Coordinator (HSC) program. Launched in 2022, the HSC provides low‑barrier access to social services navigation, crisis support, community outreach, and basic needs assistance for vulnerable populations. The program works collaboratively with local service providers to improve safety, well‑being, and access to supports while strengthening community connections.

Proposed Project Start Date:
January 1, 2026

Proposed Project End Date:
December 31, 2026

Please briefly describe the project and how the funds will be used:

The Orillia Public Library’s Human Services Coordinator (HSC) program supports vulnerable community members by providing barrier-free access to basic needs, social services navigation, and inclusive programming. Requested funds will strengthen the HSC Basic Needs and Programming budget to address urgent community needs directly within the Library.

Funds will support:
– Food and snacks for food-insecure patrons
– Hygiene supplies and harm-reduction supports
– Transportation assistance (bus tickets, taxi fares, gas cards)
– Low-barrier engagement and outreach programming (supplies for the weekly Coffee and Connect program)

How many people will benefit from the project directly and indirectly within the geographic area covered by the CFOA:

Since 2022, the HSC program has directly supported over 1,600 individuals across Orillia and CFOA‑eligible areas. This project directly benefits 500–700 people annually, with indirect benefits to thousands library users, staff, and community members through improved safety, access to services, and community well‑being.

Please list any partnerships and collaborations for this project:

Information Orillia
The Sharing Place
The Lighthouse

Please describe any in kind contributions/volunteer labour connected to this project:

This project is supported by significant in‑kind contributions from community partners. The Sharing Place Food Centre donates food and snacks for HSC programs and provides food and supplies when the Library operates as a Warming Centre. The Sharing Place, The Lighthouse and Information Orillia regularly refer individuals to the HSC for basic needs and system navigation. Lighthouse Outreach Workers meet weekly with the HSC to conduct joint outreach and disseminate supplies/resources. The Orillia Public Library contributes staff time, space, and operational support to enable coordinated service delivery.

How will success be evaluated?

Success is evaluated using a combination of quantitative tracking and qualitative feedback. Measures include the number of individuals supported with basic needs, participation in HSC-led programming and outreach, and reductions in crisis interventions or emergency service calls within the Library. The HSC also collects anonymized service data and partner feedback to assess responsiveness to emerging needs. Patron stories, staff observations, and community partner input further demonstrate program impact, ensuring funds are used effectively to improve well-being, safety, and access to supports within the community.

Grant Request Budget

Item:
Snack Program, Coffee & Connect, Outreach/Inreach, Wellness Group, Transportation

Description ( if applicable):
snacks made avail to patrons 2x per week + snacks used as de-escalation tools, weekly social prescription program, purchases for gap-filling, accessed when all other avenues have been exhausted, Potential Youth Program w Lighthouse (funding dependent), City transit, LINX, Northland, taxi

$ Amount:
$1,760, $570, $4880, $365, $1425

Total Expenses:
$9000

Project Funding

Item:
The County of Simcoe: Human Services Navigator Funds

Description ( if applicable):
$70,000 toward salary/benefits of HSC staff, we earmark 7% for project expenses

$ Amount:
$5000

Amount Requested from CFOA:
$4000

Total Income:
$5000

Budget Summary

Total Project Expenses:
$9000

Total Project Income:
$9000

Attachments

File Upload:
https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQyM3xmaWxlbmFtZToyMDI2LUNGRy1QYXJ0bmVyLVN1cHBvcnQtTEgtZnJvbS1Sb3NlbWFyeS0xLnBkZg==, https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQyNHxmaWxlbmFtZTpMaWJyYXJ5LUNGT0Etc3VwcG9ydC5wZGY=, https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQyNXxmaWxlbmFtZTpMZXR0ZXItb2YtU3VwcG9ydC1UaGUtU2hhcmluZy1QbGFjZS1Gb29kLUNlbnRyZS1PUEwtZnJvbS1LZWxseS5wZGY=, https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQyN3xmaWxlbmFtZTpIU0MtUHJvZ3JhbS1CdWRnZXRfMjAyNS5wZGY=, https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQyOHxmaWxlbmFtZTpGaW5hbC1SZXZpZXctRmluYW5jaWFsLVN0YXRlbWVudHMtMjAyNC1PcmlsbGlhLVB1YmxpYy1MaWJyYXJ5LnBkZg==

Name:
Melissa Robertson

Title:
Director of Corporate and Operational Services

Signature:
Melissa Robertson

Date:
04/02/2026