Nurturing for nature

Agency fund helps Hamilton Naturalists’ Club focus on its mission

Tracing its history to 1919, the Hamilton Naturalists’ club now oversees ten nature sanctuaries covering over 500 acres of protected habitat, mainly in the Hamilton area. In addition to managing those lands, the club focuses on research that informs their stewardship practices, and outreach to take environmental education to both adults and children.

With 14 years as a staff member and ten previous years as a volunteer, Jen Baker, the club’s land trust manager, has witnessed the club’s growth and evolution over the years. Notably, in 2000 the club received a substantial bequest. The board of directors “took this opportunity to assess the future of the organization,” she says. As a result, they established an agency endowment fund for the club with Hamilton Community Foundation. Two decades later, the fund is a boon, says Baker. Because of the way HCF manages its funds, the club can budget for a predictable revenue stream from the endowment. “Income from the endowment fund helps to cover the basic costs of maintaining the nature sanctuaries — things like taxes and garbage collection and other needs that donors don’t necessarily think of. That allows us to fundraise for the bigger, more exciting projects.”

The club’s focus on youth takes it into Hamilton classrooms and then brings the students out into the natural environment. For many children, it’s unknown territory. Income from the endowment fund, in addition to other grants, helps make sure there are no financial barriers to participation: the club pays for transportation and provides binoculars for the kids to use, for example, so there is no cost to families.

“I have nothing but good things to say about the relationship with Hamilton Community Foundation,” says Baker, who admits she is not a finance person. “The community foundation’s staff has been incredibly patient explaining the financial aspects of the fund: they even attended one of our board meetings. They are generous with their time and expertise, and we have real confidence in their management of our fund.”

Home to stay

Program helps vulnerable seniors age at home successfully

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most powerful.

Like helping a senior complete a housing allowance form that reduces their rent to $450 a month. Or connecting them to tax help so they can use the refunds to cover back rent. Or representing them at a Landlord and Tenant Board hearing to fight a renoviction. Or helping them manage clutter so their apartment passes inspection.

Thanks to the HOPES program at St. Matthew’s House, every one of these solutions — and many more — have prevented at-risk seniors from being evicted from their homes and living in shelters or on the street.

“A lot of our clients are estranged from families and isolated, whether that’s because of past mental health needs, addictions or incarceration, and they’re navigating the world on a very low income,” says program manager Andrew Matthews.

“Being $200 behind on rent can be almost impossible to come back from.”

HOPES also helps clients — many of whom exhibit hoarding behaviour — learn the skills to manage their living spaces, which improves mental health and helps prevent eviction, hospitalization and premature moves to long-term care. The program also provides assistance with funding applications, subsidized housing supports, medical appointments and income supports.

HOPES is fully integrated with other programs at St. Matthew’s House, including the food box program. “It’s rare that a client ever needs one program,” Andrew says. “If they’re being evicted because of rental arrears, odds are they’re facing food security issues as well.”

This wraparound approach is appreciated by clients. “St. Matthew’s House delivers top-notch, quality service right at my door with a smile,” says one senior. “The frozen meat is so appreciated with the high cost of groceries now.”

A new addition to the long-standing program, funded in part by HCF’s Martin Foundation Fund and Mary L. Cassidy Fund, is a paralegal who will work with the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic to represent clients at the Landlord and Tenant Board. “That will really level up our participation at the board,” Andrew says.

HOPES currently supports 44 individuals, with the caseload expected to rise significantly in the future.

“Many of these issues are preventable and can be solved for a relatively low cost,” Andrew says. “By helping vulnerable seniors maintain their housing, HOPES saves their health, dignity and even their lives.”

Full steam ahead

Program puts middle-schoolers on the path to STEM careers

Three cute cartoon characters dance on the screen at the front of the Grade 6/7 class. Instructor Bryan Williams has explained the steps to program the game, and now it’s the students’ turn to drag and drop the pieces of code to get their own characters to dance.

Bryan is with STEAM Engine, the flagship program of Hamilton non-profit Mathstronauts. In five weeks of in-class lessons or 10 weeks after school, students learn project-based computer programming, 3D modelling and graphic design. Instructors, mentors and curriculum materials reflect the diversity of the students. The program ends with an inspiring visit from a General Motors engineer.

The goal is to help those who are traditionally under-represented in science, technology, engineering and math, to see themselves in a STEM career.

Its work is sorely needed. Demand for STEM talent is growing exponentially, says executive director Sehrish Zehra, and the income of STEM graduates is $15,000 more a year than their non-STEM counterparts. But financial and structural barriers are keeping lower-income, racialized and female students from accessing programs.

“Not every person will love this stuff, but every person should have the opportunity to try it out,” Sehrish says. “We want to plant the seed early.”

HCF’s ABACUS initiative has funded STEAM Engine from its humble beginnings in one Hamilton school in 2016. Since then, it’s grown to serve 600 middle-schoolers in 17 high-priority schools in both the public and Catholic boards, with plans to expand to 29 schools and an additional 600 students by June 2024. ABACUS also supports a numeracy program for elementary students developed by Mathstronauts.

Back in the classroom, the students program the game on their own iPads, with bursts of dance music and whoops of excitement signalling success. “There’s this moment when they realize they have the tools to make things,” Bryan says. “If they play, they will learn.”

Care for kids

New impact investment supports a hospice for children and their families

Danielle Zucchet was living the dream: a loving husband, two children, a successful career. Then came the darkest of news: her son Keaton would die of cancer before he turned eight.

“McMaster is one of the world’s elite children’s hospitals. But unlike other children’s hospitals in Canada, end of life and respite care is very limited,” she says. “Families like mine have to choose between the impossible: a death at home or in hospital.”

Danielle is now the chief executive officer of Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice and is working hard to change those options with a new pediatric hospice, slated to open in Hamilton in late 2025. The facility will serve a catchment of 2.3 million people, with 500 at any one time being children with serious illnesses that will cut their lives short.

“It’s about choice for families and meeting them where they are,” says public affairs and pediatric hospice project director, Doug Mattina. “We’re offering medical excellence and also dignity, comfort and even joy in that last chapter, so a mom or dad or sibling or grandparent can be just that, not a 24-hour caregiver.”

The 10-bed, 35,000 square-foot hospice will provide respite care, pain and symptom management, help with the transition between hospital and home, end-of-life care, and psycho-social support for grief — all at one-fifth of the cost of hospital care — in a multi-disciplinary, home-like, enriching environment. All services will be free to families.

Through its impact investing portfolio, HCF provided a three-year loan to support their capacity to fundraise for the hospice’s
$25-million capital campaign, and to cover pre-construction costs.

“The Foundation has been providing loans to the charitable sector for over a decade and we understand how challenging it can be to pursue new and capital-intense opportunities,” says Annette Aquin, HCF’s executive vice-president of finance and operations. “We know it’s hardest to raise funds at the beginning of a project — which is also the most important time — so were thrilled to be able to support the hospice in this way.”

The joy of giving

Greenestyle Fund fulfills a passion for philanthropy

Growing up in the southwest/Locke Street area of Hamilton, John Greene never imagined he would be part of transforming the city he loves. But as a contractor and as landlords, he and his wife Sue Stewart-Greene have rejuvenated a score of small multi-residential properties in the core over the last 30 years. The couple moved closer to downtown too, and feel a strong commitment to Hamilton. “I don’t want to be anywhere else,” says John, “except maybe for a few weeks vacation…”

Concerned about the growing homelessness problem — “the issue has gotten more and more evident all around us,” says Sue — they are hoping to be part of the solution and launched the Greenestyle Fund at Hamilton Community Foundation with a focus on affordable housing innovation, the arts, and other issues. Longtime supporters of First Unitarian Church on Dundurn, their fund’s goals also include social justice outreach led by that church.

John and Sue, who was Burlington’s first female firefighter, love bringing folks together. They are known for hosting large music events that introduce strangers to new friends. “It’s fun to connect people,” Sue says.

Referred by their accountant, the couple came to HCF because it is “solid, trusted, grounded in research,” says John. “It fits with our values” and the donor-advised fund option lets them “direct without having to manage.”

They have been deeply moved by setting up the fund. “After years of modest giving, we are now in a position to do more,” says John.  “We are still learning and developing a plan, but we’ve been amazed at how great it feels to give back in this way.”

“Walking home from HCF after setting up the Greenestyle Fund,” adds Sue, “we just felt incredibly joyful.”

Planning is everything

New family fund is a gift to Hamilton

Longtime Hamilton residents Irene and David Buckley have started a named fund — the Buckley Family Foundation — within the Community Fund at HCF.

Irene first learned about Hamilton Community Foundation through her volunteer and paid work with Big Sisters. David’s 35 years as a Rotarian also brought him into contact with the Foundation’s leaders. Since retiring from a successful business career in 1991, he and Irene have enjoyed travel, walking and tennis. Their three children have also had very productive careers and have reached retirement age.

“We were able to help them early in their lives, when they needed it,” says Irene, “and we have a comfortable life ourselves today.” Now entering their 90s, the Buckleys felt the time was right to endow a fund at HCF and have also made provisions for the Foundation in their wills.

David explains that good advice from a financial planner early on, along with careful management over the years by both of them, has left the couple with unexpected opportunities to support their philanthropic interests, which include children, music and medicine. “It makes sense now to gift more than we have been giving over the years to the causes we care about,” he says. Making a gift to HCF of long-held shares reduces the capital gains tax they would otherwise face, and contributing to the Community Fund enables them to help key local organizations.

They are confident that Hamilton Community Foundation provides support to organizations that are well vetted. “We have really good things in Hamilton, world-class programs,” says David. “They don’t get enough credit.” HCF’s Community Fund, including the Buckley Family Foundation, will help sustain those initiatives.

Carrying the torch

Milli Fund expands family’s philanthropic impact

The extraordinary entrepreneurs behind Hamilton’s iconic “Milli” women’s boutique, the Gould family, have a long tradition of philanthropy. Even in the early days of the store in the 1960s, founders Milli and Allen Gould provided support to the community in small, quiet ways. As the store flourished and the Milli brand took hold, Allen and Milli extended their philanthropy to a host of causes involving women, children, the Jewish community, and mental health. They left a tremendous legacy of generosity to Hamilton.

The next generation — Milli and Allen’s sons Mark and Ben and their families — has continued the tradition of giving back, managing a private foundation and other significant charitable endeavours. Recently, they established the Milli Fund at Hamilton Community Foundation.

“We’ve had our eye on HCF for quite some time,” says son Ben. “As entrepreneurs, we are interested in impact, efficiency, and effectiveness. The community foundation is impressive in its research, its understanding of community challenges, and its disciplined approach to addressing problems. We wanted to be more directly involved with that.”

The donor-advised Milli Fund endowed at HCF will focus on similar granting priorities to the Allen and Milli Gould Family Foundation. But Ben sees the HCF fund as an opportunity to benefit from the community foundation’s expertise. “We appreciate what HCF brings to the table,” he says. “Their skill in impact investing, their depth of knowledge, their enthusiasm for seeking solutions to Hamilton’s bigger problems — we have things to learn from the community foundation as we continue giving back to the community that is so supportive of the Milli brand.”

One-stop infant shop

In this store, everything is free.

Barton Street’s Baby Depot Boutique on Barton Street is a one-stop shop for families struggling with the costs of supplies for a new baby. Last year, more than 150 families hard-hit by the pandemic and rising inflation were able to select all the diapers, gently used clothing and other essentials they needed during their baby’s first year.

Customers are referred by local social service agencies and shop by appointment. “It’s about dignity of choice,” says Stephanie Greenaway, program co-ordinator.

“We need to show our neighbours they are not alone,” says Maggie John, who founded The Baby Depot in 2013 and is excited by the transition from a hamper program to a shopping experience. “By choosing the clothing for their baby and picking the stroller, crib and toys, they feel encouraged in their role as caregivers to provide healthy and stable homes for their families.”

Excerpt from 2023 Spring Legacy newsletter

Nature is everywhere

The GO Explore Nature Education Program connects urban Hamilton students to nature, often for the first time.

Run by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, the program combines in-class learning and two field trips: a neighbourhood walk that gives students the tools to find nature close to home, and a trip to the Sheelah Dunn Dooley Nature Sanctuary where they will use what they learned during the neighbourhood walk to look for plants and animals. Both excursions see students participating in stewardship activities, including garbage cleanup, managing invasive plants and planting native species.

The program aims to spark a passion for nature in students, turning them from learners into conservers.

“Students can’t develop a conservation ethic if they have no connection to nature,” says Jen Baker of the Naturalists’ Club. “The project shows them that nature is everywhere and they can help in a meaningful and practical way.”

Excerpt from 2023 Spring Legacy newsletter

Connecting through culture

Thanks to a new program in Hamilton, a senior has affordable housing after unknowingly losing his place on the waitlist. A newcomer finds a job where the owner speaks Arabic. A family receives furniture for their first home in Canada. And parents learn how to access government-funded medical supplies for their child.

The Sanad program is an initiative of Mishka Social Services. Supported by a grant from HCF, it connects Muslims, racialized families — and anyone needing help in Hamilton — to resources, shelter, funding and social services in a culturally informed way.

Sanad, which means “support” in Arabic, is about bridging gaps and eliminating barriers.

“These are families that some organizations consider complex, which can add delays,” says Omar Mahamed, team lead. “We offer an extra layer of support that requires cultural understanding.”

Support comes in many forms. Online workshops offer families a general roadmap to programs and services, while a community service worker addresses specific needs. Informal one-on-one conversations with workers at other social service agencies encourage cross-cultural understanding. Formal involvement with the Children’s Aid Society helps Muslim youth feel culturally and spiritually at home in foster care.

Sanad has helped 72 families since last year, with referrals coming from the community, agencies, schools and hospitals. They hope to help 48 more families currently on a waitlist. Services are available in several languages.

“People don’t like to come forward with their problems, but the stigma is being broken down,” Omar says. “Three people came up to me at the mosque the other day to tell me of families that needed help. We’re building trust.”

Excerpt from 2023 Spring Legacy newsletter