Eight organizations serving Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit are the latest funding recipients through the Community Organization Investment initiative provided as part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan. This marks the second year of funding, available through an open application process that will continue annually until 2024.

In July 2021, $100,000 (CAD) will be distributed amongst the successful applicants to support these exciting projects, with $50,000 being allocated for investments in Windsor and Detroit, respectively. The selected projects will benefit youth, promote physical activity and celebrate the region’s rich history and community diversity.

2021 Recipients

Canada:

The Essex County Black Historical Research Society will receive $25,000 to engage post-secondary students to create three short films on significant and engaging aspects of early Sandwich history. 

Border City Athletics Club will receive $10,000 to host a virtual conference that is aimed to empower Black, Indigenous and People of Colour women from Sandwich/west Windsor in coaching, mentorship and leadership in sports.

The John McGivney Children’s Centre will receive $8,400 to construct an accessible ramp to improve public access to Play McGivney, an accessible playground at The John McGivney Centre in Sandwich.

Windsor Police Services Community Service Branch in partnership with New Beginnings will receive $6,600 to host the Sandwich Community DiverCity BBQ, a free event to celebrate diversity in the Sandwich and Windsor-Essex community. 

US:

First Latin American Baptist Church of Detroit will receive $25,000 to support renovations for its Community Recreation Service Center, focusing on improvements to the gym and bathrooms.

The Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation will receive $17,000 to provide critical community programming to residents in Delray.

Unity in Our Community TimeBank will receive $5,000 to hold outdoor events to encourage outdoor exploration and bring awareness to the available assets for physical activity in the Southwest Detroit community.

Clark Park Coalition will receive $3,000 to host the 2022 Winter Carnival that will engage youth and families across Southwest Detroit, bringing members of the community together.

The recipients were selected following an application process that ran from November 2020 through January 2021 and resulted in 30 eligible submissions. The project’s Local Community Group, comprised of stakeholders from the host communities on both sides of the border, played a significant role in reviewing the applications and providing recommendations to the project team.

The application process for the 2022 funding cycle is anticipated to begin in November 2021.

For more information about the Community Organization Investment and funding recipients, visit the announcement page