Woodbine Entertainment (Woodbine) supports our communities in many ways including the Woodbine Cares Community Investment Program (CIP). A signature program that has been around for many years, the CIP provides financial support in the form of micro-grants ($1,000 – $5,000) to local registered charities.
Since launching, the program has helped a significant amount of organizations in the Rexdale and Halton communities. In 2020, more than 30 applications for the program were received and the 12 recipient organizations are listed below.
A team of eight Woodbine employees volunteer their time to help determine which organizations receive funding out of the many whom applied. When deciding how best to allocate funds, employees look at the quality of the application, the impact COVID-19 had on the organization and the impact the organization and/or program has on individuals and communities.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a strain on many community organizations as more and more people seek their services,” said Zenia Wadhwani, Woodbine’s Director, Corporate Citizenship. “Woodbine is proud to continue to offer the program and support the organizations that help make our communities wonderful places to live, work, learn and play.”
Congratulations to the 2020 recipients!
- Albion Neighbourhood Services
- Community Association for Riders with Disabilities
- Community Living North Halton
- Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter
- Food4Kids Halton
- Good Shepherd Ministries
- Halton Women’s Place
- Peel Children’s Aid Foundation
- Pathways to Education & Rexdale Community Health Centre
- SEVA Food Bank
- Sunrise Therapeutic & Riding Centre
- Youth Without Shelter
Example of How an Organization Used the Funds
In 2019, Woodbine Cares selected the Halton Learning Foundation as one of its grant recipients. The Halton Learning Foundation provides immediate support to more than 900 students-in-need. These are students who require basic items such as clothing to help them fit in at school, or food to help them concentrate on learning.
The grant that Woodbine Cares provided to the Halton Learning Foundation allowed for students to purchase groceries, clothing, hygiene products and transportation to school for at-risk students.
“With your (Woodbine Cares) tremendous gift, Halton Learning Foundation helped to ensure each student has what they need to fully participate in school,” The Halton Learning Foundation explained. “The impact is life changing for these students and their families.”
About Woodbine Cares
Woodbine Cares is one of our core values and encompasses our philanthropic initiatives, focused on the following areas:
- Vibrant and Connected Communities
- For the Love of Horses
- The Environment & Sustainability
Through our corporation and the Woodbine Cares Foundation our support comes in the form of programs, donations (financial and in-kind) and partnerships.