Local RTOERO District Grant
Local RTOERO district helps students to focus on nature
Guelph, Dec. 5, 2022 – Focus on Nature is rebuilding its program delivery for students in Guelph and Wellington counties, thanks in part to a $4,000 grant from District 31 Wellington of RTOERO. The program aims to nurture in children a love of nature, foster their creativity and facilitate a new way of seeing the world.
The District 31 funding is part of RTOERO’s annual community grants program. Since 1968, RTOERO has been a voice for teachers, school and board administrators, educational support staff and college and university faculty and staff in their retirement.
Our mission is to improve the lives of our members and seniors. RTOERO members also share a desire to give back. Each year, districts apply for grants to support community projects. For 2022, RTOERO funded 22 projects for a total of $87,471.
Focus on Nature provides workshops for local schools. These are learning opportunities for youth to acquire technical and critical skills in photography, enabling them to use this medium as a tool for exploring their place in the natural world. Focus on Nature expects to provide 40 school workshops and reach at least 1,000 children.
“With the nature photography program, children will gain positive and fun outdoor experiences, develop a genuine interest in nature in their neighbourhoods, and be able to express their creativity,” says M. Anne Smith, Former President, District 31 Wellington, RTOERO.
Since the inception of the community grants program 22 years ago, RTOERO has donated $1.9 million to more than 525 programs and projects. A committee of RTOERO members assesses the merits of each grants submission.
“Across Ontario, grassroots actions can stitch a community together. Seniors, children, the most vulnerable and the environment alike can all use support. That’s the idea behind the grants program, whose impact is felt widely,” says Martha Foster, chair of the board at RTOERO. “Our members care about their communities, and in partnership with great organizations that translates into action on the ground. We believe in a better future, together.”
District 31 Wellington plays a key role in helping members stay active and connected, with each other and the community.
RTOERO is a bilingual trusted voice on healthy, active living in the retirement journey for the broader education community. With 82,000+ members in 51 districts across Canada, we are the largest national provider of non-profit group health benefits for education retirees.
RTOERO media contact:
Nancy Baker, President, District 31 Wellington, RTOERO, President31@districts.rtoero.ca
Reference:
Sylvia Link, Director of Marketing and Communications, slink@rtoero.ca, 416-209-1249 (cell)
