The Bridge Youth Resource Centre in Leamington receives $200K OTF grant

Construction begins on The Bridge Youth Resource Centre housing development in Leamington, Ont., on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)

Leamington, Ont.’s Bridge Youth Resource Centre has received a $200,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

The foundation’s mandate (as a fixture of the Ontario government) is to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105 million into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships.

The funding will help expand their attainable housing project—from 12 to 50 homes. The grant also helps grow revenue-generating initiatives, like the community donut program. The additional homes are scheduled to be completed in 2027.

Krista Rempel is executive director of The Bridge. Rempel is appreciative of the ongoing support from government, local agencies, foundations, and the generosity of the public at-large.

“Through this grant, we’re able to obtain some capital support, which included the waiving a development fees through the municipality of Leamington,” said Rempel. “The County of Essex supported us [with] $2 million. We had a private donor step forward for $2 million as well as we. Most recently, we received a capital grant. And so, the endeavor as a whole is around $8 million.”

The collective fundraising efforts by The Bridge as well as public and private sector grants, funding, and donations is having an impact on the organization and community. The support directly paves the way for future home construction for youth and as community members.

In addition, proposed rental dollars will be used to assist the organization on its path to self-sustainability.