An Ontario Trillium Grant helped a local grief support group complete some renovations on a new meeting space.
The Julien's House charity has just opened the Nick Dyer Clubhouse which will host peer support groups and other events for people grieving in Windsor-Essex.
"People that are going through a grief journey often don't know where to turn, they're not mentally ill so it's hard to look for programming that's suitable for that grief," said Executive Director Laura Kay. "It's really that peer to peer connection that we help fill."
The Ontario Trillium Foundation provided the organization with a $148,000 grant to help complete the project. Other funds came from community donations and in-kind donations from construction and trade companies.
"Having a space where we can welcome people into a space that they trust with people that they trust is a really big deal and it really is part of the contributing factor to helping them go on their journey of grief with people that they trust in a place that is familiar to them," said Alicia Higgison, president of the board of directors.
This is just phase one of the vision for renovations to the Baseline Road property. Julien's House is continuing fundraising campaigns to complete renovations to the main house and the grounds.