Niagara Prosperity Initiatives

Niagara Region established the Niagara Prosperity Initiative in 2008, providing an annual investment to support poverty reduction and prevention activities.

The Niagara Prosperity Initiative encourages applications where two or more organizations with a well-defined relationship submit an application for funding to achieve a common goal. One of the organizations must take the lead and be accountable for the delivery of the proposal.

Characteristics of well-defined relationships may include mutual benefit, shared organization decision-making, and accountability to partners and the communities they serve.

Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy

Using a research-based approach that aligns with the Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Niagara Prosperity Initiative funds projects aimed at working together to prevent and end poverty and increase well-being in Niagara.

2022 / 2024 projects

Additional Supports for the Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound Program
Niagara Region Native Centre Contract: $599,880 This project will provide further support for participants of the Homeward Bound program in maintaining their home, parenting while working through the program and additional supports such as access to transportation and rent subsidy.

Additional Supports for the Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound Program

Niagara Region Native Centre
Contract: $599,880

This project will provide further support for participants of the Homeward Bound program in maintaining their home, parenting while working through the program and additional supports such as access to transportation and rent subsidy.

Early Childhood Development Program
Port Cares Contract: $373,396 This project will establish an evidence-based early childhood development program in the community, in accessible locations that are comfortable for program participants. The program will reach high risk, low income populations of parents with children aged zero to six.

Early Childhood Development Program

Port Cares
Contract: $373,396

This project will establish an evidence-based early childhood development program in the community, in accessible locations that are comfortable for program participants. The program will reach high risk, low income populations of parents with children aged zero to six.

Pop-Up Food Markets
United Way Contract: $797,603 This project will coordinate and implement food markets in key locations in Niagara through pop-up markets. Consistent locations, times and produce will be decided based on community need and will run throughout the winter months. Volunteers from the community will be actively engaged and the markets will act as a community place-making tool.

Pop-Up Food Markets

United Way
Contract: $797,603

This project will coordinate and implement food markets in key locations in Niagara through pop-up markets. Consistent locations, times and produce will be decided based on community need and will run throughout the winter months. Volunteers from the community will be actively engaged and the markets will act as a community place-making tool.

Community Integration
Gateway Residential and Community Support Services of Niagara Inc. Contract: $499,890 This project will establish a compliment of Housing Stability Worker(s), who will require a background in a relevant social science, humanities, health or rehabilitation discipline. Housing Stability Workers would work with individuals who are newly housed to retain housing. Referral pathways will be established with other service agencies.

Community Integration

Gateway Residential and Community Support Services of Niagara Inc.
Contract: $499,890

This project will establish a compliment of Housing Stability Worker(s), who will require a background in a relevant social science, humanities, health or rehabilitation discipline. Housing Stability Workers would work with individuals who are newly housed to retain housing. Referral pathways will be established with other service agencies.

After-Care for Domestic Violence Survivors
Women's Place of South Niagara Contract: $149,120 Gillian's Place Contract: $183,344 These projects will establish a compliment of After-Care Advocate(s), who will require a background in a relevant social science, humanities, health or rehabilitation discipline and has experience working with victims of domestic violence and trauma survivors. After-Care Advocates will work with individuals and their children who have transitioned out of shelter. Referral pathways will be established with other service agencies.

After-Care for Domestic Violence Survivors

Women's Place of South Niagara
Contract: $149,120

Gillian's Place
Contract: $183,344

These projects will establish a compliment of After-Care Advocate(s), who will require a background in a relevant social science, humanities, health or rehabilitation discipline and has experience working with victims of domestic violence and trauma survivors. After-Care Advocates will work with individuals and their children who have transitioned out of shelter. Referral pathways will be established with other service agencies.

Living Wage Project
United Way Contract: $196,767 This project will support full coordination of the living wage program, including social marketing, liaising with the Ontario Living Wage Network to conduct annual cost of living and living wage calculations, report writing, increasing outreach to businesses and aiding employers in becoming certified living wage employers.

Living Wage Project

United Way
Contract: $196,767

This project will support full coordination of the living wage program, including social marketing, liaising with the Ontario Living Wage Network to conduct annual cost of living and living wage calculations, report writing, increasing outreach to businesses and aiding employers in becoming certified living wage employers.

Niagara Prosperity Initiatives

Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy

2022 / 2024 projects

Niagara Prosperity In...