New opportunities may arise with support from a new community fund recently launched in Brooke Alvinston.
The Sarnia Community Foundation Board and Brooke Alvinston Council announced the new community fund as a way to support residents through local programs and initiatives.
Jane Anema, fund administrator for the Brooke Alvinston Community Fund and executive director of the Sarnia Community Foundation, said the new fund is modeled after the Petrolia Community Fund.
She said these types of programs serve an important purpose, especially in small communities.
"Small communities tend to be the bottom end of the food chain in a money perspective but the need is just as great as it is in larger centres," said Anema. "So if there's a means where the community can turn around and say 'look, we've got some funding for you to come out and support us,' that's a better way of people being in-service."
The fund awarded its first grant to Hope Alvinston Ministries, which provides youth with jobs and summer programming for children.
Anema said grants distributed through the community fund could be awarded once a year or more, depending on donations.
"Donors can come to us directly with ideas, we can speak with the community committee that has been developed to manage and supervise the process," she said. "From an annual piece, there will probably be an application that goes out or just general conversation in what the community thinks is a need."
The Book Alvinston Community Committee, in charge of the grants process, is made up of three people which include Mayor Dave Ferguson, former mayor Don McGugan, and local resident Janice Phillips.
"Donations to the Brooke-Alvinston Community Fund are being handled by SCF to ensure that donors know the funds are only spent on community betterment. Decisions on spending income and grants will be made locally by our local committee,” said Mayor Ferguson in a statement.
Details about grant opportunities or information for potential donors can be found online. Donors can also call 519-332-2588.