YWCA Muskoka is requesting $300,000 in annual funding from the District of Muskoka to continue programs that support youth and prevent homelessness across Muskoka.
During the April 23 community and planning services committee meeting, Hannah Lin, executive director of the organization made a presentation stating that in order for the organization to continue with its programming, they need “stable and predictable funding.”
Lin said they are requesting funding to sustain and expand both their youth prevention programs and the Getting Ahead program.
She said the organization is already delivering prevention-focused programs for youth, including the Girlz Unplugged and Quest programs, but needs additional funding to continue and expand these initiatives.
“We are seeking stable funding of $150,000 annually, starting in 2027, to sustain and expand this work,” she said.
Lin said they are also seeking funding for their Getting Ahead program, which provides life stabilization for people struggling with housing and poverty.
She said the United Way Simcoe Muskoka Community Collaborative Grant has supported the program since 2024, helping reach youth, Indigenous people, and women in rural areas, but the funding agreement is set to end in January 2027.
Lin said they aim to sustain and expand the program to serve 50 individuals across all six municipalities in 2027, but require $150,000 in annual funding to do so, noting the cost is about $3,000 per participant.
Lin said that through both programs, they are building confidence, strengthening relationships, and equipping people with the skills they need to navigate the challenges before they escalate.
“With stable funding, we could deepen this work,” she said. “We’ll see reduced pressures on mental health call lines, urgent health and emergency services, we’ll see way fewer people in the tyranny of the moment and more people moving towards connectedness, stability and well-being.”
Councilors thanked the organization for its ongoing efforts to reach out, change lives, and help people find a better path forward.
The request will be considered by council at a future meeting.
