Halton Healthy Community Fund

1999-2001 - Halton Aphasia Centre - Georgetown Satellite

As the result of a three year grant from the Halton Healthy Community Fund, the Halton Hills Speech Centre, part of a North Halton partnership consisting of William Osler Health Centre (Georgetown/Brampton campuses); Bennett Health Care Centre; Georgetown and District Seniors Centre; Acton Senior/Recreation Centre; and Halton Hills Community Support and Information, together with the Halton Aphasia Centre were able to start and operate a satellite program in Georgetown for people with aphasia (language difficulties following a stroke or head injury). The program has continued following the end of the three year grant from the Halton Healthy Community Fund.

1999 - Books for Babies Project

With funding from the Halton Healthy Community Fund, the Halton Hills Speech Centre participated in the "Books for Babies" project partnership with the Halton Public Libraries and Halton Public Health. Through this partnership we were able to provide all new mothers in the Halton region information on language and literacy development, baby books and a nursery rhyme audio tape.

2005 - Therapeutic Drumming Program

Halton Hills Speech Centre partnered with Diana's Drum and the Halton Aphasia Centre to develop a program of therapeutic drumming for adults with aphasia. The drums, hand-made by the Halton Aphasia Centre members, were used in a series of therapeutic drumming sessions held monthly. The sessions were adapted specifically to the needs of adults with aphasia and allowed the participants to express themselves in an entirely different way. Halton Aphasia Centre staff and volunteers were trained by Halton Hills Speech Centre and Diana's Drum to lead the drum sessions so that the program continues on a monthly basis.

2006-2008 - Talk N' Tumble Program

In a partnership with Halton Hills Gymnastic Centre and Reach Therapy Inc., the Halton Hills Speech Centre has been able to develop a specialized gymnastics program for preschool children with special needs. The program focuses upon providing speech and occupational therapy supports to children while they are participating in gymnastic activites.

Ontario Early Years Challenge Fund

2003-2006 - Technology Enhanced Literacy and Communication (TLC) for Kids Program

The TLC for Kids is program was offered through a partnership of Community Living North Halton, Halton Hills Speech Centre and Tiny Tim Developmental Schools Inc. The program ran at Tiny Tim Developmental School in Georgetown for 3 years (2003-2006) and in Milton for 1 year (2005-2006) through funding from the Province of Ontario - Early Years Challenge Fund. TLC for Kids is a 12-week innovative and exciting program designed to encourage the literacy and social communication development of preschool children. The program is open to all children aged two and a half to six years old. The program uses interactive computer programs and circle time activities to provide children with the opportunities to learn age appropriate literacy and social communication skills. The program continues following the completion of the grant through user fees.

The Royal Canadian Legion-Ladies Auxiliary

2000 - Lending Library

With a grant from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Halton Hills Speech Centre was able to purchase books and videotapes for our Lending Library.

Brampton and Area Community Fund

2006 - Development of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Within the Communication Program at Halton Aphasia Centre

Together with the Halton Aphasia Centre, the Halton Hills Speech Centre developed and obtained aphasia-friendly materials in five additional languages, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic and Chinese. The materials also act as a resource to professionals and volunteers in the program to expand their knowledge base.

New Horizons Grant for Seniors

2006 - Storytelling Program

Together with the Halton Aphasia Centre and StoryLines Inc., the Halton Hills Speech Centre developed a program to benefit people with aphasia. The Adult Storytelling program offered bimonthly entertaining aphasia-friendly storytelling sessions. Participants discussed, retold, dramatized and enjoyed the stores using aphasia-friendly materials with the assistance of volunteers. The program started in April 2006 and recaptured the joy and fun of storytelling for the adults with aphasia. The program continues following the completion of the grant.

2007 - Memories To Talk About Program

With funding from a New Horizon Grant for Seniors, the Halton Hills Speech Centre, together with the Bennett Health Care Centre and StoryLines Inc established a creative Memories to Talk About Program. This program will be offered in the Long Term-Care Facility and uses the skills of senior volunteers, contracted professionals, facility staff and family members. The program will increase communication topics between the residents, staff, contracted professionals and senior volunteers while improving/maintaining memory and communication skills. The senior volunteers will document the resident's memories into their own individualized communication-friendly memory book. This book will allow them to share their stories with other residents, family, friends and visitors.