A local non-profit organization that supports people with an intellectual disability and their family say they are better prepared to handle future organizational hurdles thanks to funds from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Community Living Essex County received a $104,000 in 2023 through the Resilient Community Fund. The fund supports non-profits develop new approaches to generate revenue, start new activities to meet community needs, adjust strategies and plan for future challenges. This comes in advance of some government programs providing funding directly to individuals with disabilities to manage their own attendant care instead of funding organizations. “Obviously if families are going to be empowered with direct funding it puts them in a new light,” said Corey Dalgliesh, Community Living Essex County executive director. “They’re now a customer and a customer doesn’t spend their resources somewhere that doesn’t meet their needs.” Community Living Essex County currently supports around 700 individuals.