$100,000 OTF Grant from the Province of Ontario helps Rose of Sharon pilot Youth Thrive Community Hub

Newmarket, ON - On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, MPP Dawn Gallagher-Murphy was at Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers to congratulate the organization for the work it’s been doing since late last year when it received a $100,000 Seed grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The grant is supporting the launch of the Youth Thrive Community Hub, a one-year pilot project designed to reduce barriers and empower marginalized youth through collaborative, trauma-informed programming.

“The Youth Thrive Community Hub is an excellent example of organizations coming together to create meaningful pathways for youth to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their well-being,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket—Aurora. “This investment from the Ontario government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation will help ensure that pregnant and parenting youth, as well as other at-risk young people, have access to the supports, connections, and opportunities they need to thrive. I am proud to see community organizations working collaboratively to create a stronger, more inclusive future for youth across York Region.”

The Youth Thrive Community Hub will bring together Rose of Sharon, Aurora Black Community Association, Women’s Support Network of York Region, and BridgeNorth to co-deliver 60 culturally responsive workshops over 10 months for pregnant and parenting youth and other at-risk young people aged 14–29. The workshops will focus on leadership development, emotional resilience, social connection, gender-based violence prevention, and human trafficking awareness while providing free onsite childminding, transportation assistance, and healthy snacks to ensure participants can fully engage. Over the course of the pilot, the project is expected to engage approximately 130 youth directly while strengthening partnerships and creating a sustainable model for integrated community support that can benefit hundreds more in the years ahead.

“Every day, we see young people facing barriers that extend far beyond parenting,” said Deanne Kukulewich, Executive Director of Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers. “Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s investment, the Youth Thrive Community Hub will create a welcoming space where youth can build confidence, develop leadership skills, strengthen their mental well-being, and connect with the supports they need to thrive. By working together with our community partners, we can reach more young people and ensure they have access to the resources, relationships, and opportunities that will help them build brighter futures.”

Rose of Sharon currently supports approximately 300 pregnant and parenting young mothers and their children each year through free counselling, on-site high school education, parenting programs, childminding, and food security initiatives. The new Community Hub will expand these supports by creating greater access to specialized programming and collaborative services that respond to the evolving needs of vulnerable youth across York Region.

Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers provides free supportive and educational programs to pregnant and parenting youth and their children across York Region. Services include on-site high school education, counselling, prenatal education, parenting and child development workshops, food security supports, and practical resources that empower young families to build healthy, independent futures. To learn more, volunteer, or make a donation, visit www.roseofsharon.com.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.