ABEL Enterprises receives $140,700 Trillium grant

ABEL Enterprises’ fundraising committee and visiting dignitaries stand next to ABEL’s new trailer, purchased using grant funds from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. 

Chris Abbott

Editor

ABEL Enterprises recently announced it has received a $140,700 Grow Grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

The grant will help ABEL Enterprises (HN Work Group in Simcoe), at 440 Queensway West, support survivors of mental illnesses and addictions through providing hands-on volunteer opportunities to improve their own mental, physical and financial wellbeing through a peer-led social enterprise model.

A portion of the grant was used to purchase an events trailer that can be seen in the community at different events promoting the organization and connecting people with disabilities in a meaningful way through product sales opportunities.

“The events trailer is to grow our social enterprise,” said Scott Williams, Executive Director, ABEL Enterprises. “So this is to allow our members to engage in training, workshops, and getting out in the community.”

The trailer launched just in time for the June 2025 dragon boat festival in Waterford. It also set up this summer at the Downtown Simcoe BIA Friday Night events and the Norfolk Pro Rodeo. 

“But it’s not just about the trailer,” said Williams. “It focuses on the people. It’s not a top-down method – this is getting our members involved and letting them drive it.”

All of the outcomes will help drive entrepreneurial experience to help people with barriers to become job-ready, while at the same time allowing people to work to provide for their own social benefits.

“We’re building a lot of games in our workshop that we are using for game rentals. We’re using this first year to kind of perfect the concept... All the feedback is coming back to the committee that meets weekly to discuss all of these items. So there is always that continual improvement.”

Games built in their woodworking shop include mini-golf, bumper balls, and cornhole.

“Now we want to start renting them out for summer parties.”

The hope is to see the project grow, he said, and be sustainable.

“This is not a two-year project and done. The intent is ongoing.”

The OTF Grow Grant announcement was made at ABEL Enterprises’ 42nd annual meeting at the Simcoe Legion on August 22, catered by So Mexican Eatery.

Danielle Kershaw, special assistant to MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, spoke on behalf of Brady.

“Bobbi Ann asked me to convey her congratulations to ABEL on their Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow Grant project,” said Kershaw. “When I was talking to her this morning, she was telling me how wonderful it was to see ABEL out at so many of the community events she attends, like the Jarvis festival last weekend, and see its members who go above and beyond promoting the good work being done in very creative and dynamic ways.

“And with the help of the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, ABEL will continue to grow and foster new connections within the community with this new trailer, benefiting not only the members but it will add so much to our local events with something new and exciting.”

“It is truly outstanding to see the work and the success that this organization is having and continuing to have – on the business side and also on the people side,” said Norfolk Ward 5 Councillor and Acting Deputy Mayor Alan Duthie, speaking on behalf of Norfolk County Mayor Amy Martin and Norfolk County Council, bringing greetings to ABEL’s annual meeting along with Ward 5 Councillor Doug Brunton.

“I want you to know it is truly appreciated,” said Duthie. “You are doing some terrific things. That (OTF) grant… just to see what it’s already started to do is incredible and I can’t wait to see the further efforts that your group will put together to support ABEL and to support our community.”

OTF volunteer George Santos also spoke at ABEL’s annual meeting.

“In 1983 – 42 years ago – ABEL Enterprises (started in) Norfolk County in Simcoe, and you’ve done amazing work, and continue to do amazing work,” said Santos, who said he was impressed with ABEL’s OTF application.

“This money is from the government… and it is going back to the community, and it is being used wisely. So I’m glad to know that this money is being used not only for us, but for all of us. And the community is us. It’s not just about me or you or the Ontario government or ABEL Enterprises, it’s about us as a team.”

As a group, ABEL Enterprises’ members are providing direction for the project over a two-year period, along with coaching from a Community Outreach Coordinator to help train and encourage social connection and help the group remain sustainable in their social enterprise offerings.

“This has been a great project for us,” said Williams, noting they came up with the initial concept a couple years ago. “We are moving forward with this and we are very excited about it.”

ABEL Enterprises and its members are dedicated to providing support to people living with mental illnesses and addictions, while modeling a positive example for others to improve their mental health through volunteerism and connections at community groups.

To date, 70 members have connected with and worked alongside 27 new community volunteers in this peer-led initiative. The knowledge transfer and new talent attraction is helping its members remain forward-thinking, continuing to grow within their own community.

“People need purpose and those with disabilities or who have battled and survived mental illness and addictions have overcome the first hurdle on the track,” stated MPP Bobbi Ann Brady in a media release. “This OTF Grow grant will go a long way to giving them the purpose to continue on their path to healing, build confidence, self-esteem and become happy, healthy citizens following positive and productive paths.”

TRILLIUM FOUNDATION

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, the OTF invested nearly $105 million into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic wellbeing, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.