Richmond, BC, December 19, 2023 – OpenRoad Foundation, the registered philanthropic arm of OpenRoad Group, continues its mission to support the development of robust, resilient communities – focused on environment, community, and education – with an additional $100,000 combined donation this year to four Canadian charities in British Columbia and Ontario, including Aunt Leah’s Place, Foundry Langley, Knights Table, and Take a Hike. This brings OpenRoad Foundation’s 2023 giving total to more than $225,000.
“2023 was OpenRoad Foundation’s founding year, and the roadmap our stellar team has put in-place is already working to help more than 10 non-profits achieve their goals,” explains Christian Chia, CEO of OpenRoad Group and OpenRoad Foundation’s Board Chair. “This is just the beginning. We look forward to providing even more grant opportunities to local charities in 2024.”
OpenRoad Foundation’s inaugural team currently shortlists charity partners based on three key pillars: Environment, Community, and Education. The shortlisted organizations are then contacted to complete a grant application form for potential support. The team, led by OpenRoad Foundation Manager, Shea Studler, includes a board and advisory committee.
Between January and July, the first four grants were presented to Vancouver Food Runners, Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, City Dream Centre’s Summer Food Hampers Program, and Urban Bounty by Richmond Food Security Society. OpenRoad Foundation also donated $20,000 to Club OpenRoad’s Pet Photos with Santa initiative, which benefited The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary, Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA), Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), and Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS).
The additional $100,000 will be evenly distributed between the following four charities:
Aunt Leah’s Place – For over 30 years, Aunt Leah’s Place has helped prevent children and youth in foster care from becoming homeless and mothers in need from losing custody of their children. Aunt Leah’s provides wrap-around support in three key areas: education/employment; life skills/community connection; and housing.
Foundry Langley – Hosted and operated by Encompass Support Services Society, Foundry Langley brings together the community, including partner organizations, to address the health and wellness needs of young people aged 12 to 24 and their families. Foundry focuses on early intervention in five key areas: mental health, substance abuse, peer counselling support, primary care (medical) and social services.
Knights Table – Based in Brampton, Ontario, Knights Table focuses on addressing the immediate and long-term needs of vulnerable individuals and families impacted by hunger, poverty, and homelessness within our community. They provide a comprehensive set of services to improve food security, ensuring individuals have access to nutritious meals, and food resources. Knights Table also offer social supports to help vulnerable residents regain stability and self-sufficiency.
Take a Hike – Take a Hike, together with public school district partners, empowers youth who experience vulnerability to change the trajectory of their lives with a full-time mental health and emotional well-being program embedded in an alternate education classroom Take a Hike engages youth with intentional clinical counselling, land-based learning, and community.
“The selected organizations are doing great things for our community, and truly embody our three key pillars,” adds Studler. “We thank them for their continued tireless work, and look forward to seeing the gifts from OpenRoad Foundation make an impact.”
For more information about OpenRoad Foundation, please visit www.openroadfoundation.ca.
