$100,000 OTF Grant from the Ontario Government Gives Community Centre a Lift
MEDIA RELEASE
Mississauga, ON – On Thursday, local MPP Silvia Gualtieri met with the team at MIAG Centre For Diverse Women & Families to hear more about the $100,000 Seed grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to deliver Second Brother & Sister project, designed to support residents in the Cooksville and East Mississauga communities. The Second Brother & Sister Program provides compassionate, multilingual support that reduces isolation, strengthens connections, and helps vulnerable community members navigate urgent needs with confidence. By offering practical support when it matters most, the program builds a safer, more caring, and connected community.
“The Second Brother & Sister Program is making a real difference for people and families right here in our community,” said Silvia Gualtieri, MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville. “I am proud that our government, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s $100,000 Seed grant, is supporting MIAG’s work to provide practical, compassionate and multilingual support to people who need it. This is what strong community partnerships are all about.
The Second Brother & Sister Program, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, provides free, compassionate, multilingual support to vulnerable community members through a dedicated hotline and Personal Assistants. Primarily supporting women experiencing violence, isolated seniors, and persons with disabilities, the program offers needs assessment, referrals, safety support, and assistance with essential services, appointments, social assistance, safe relocation, and other critical daily tasks. Grant funds supported program coordination, multilingual Personal Assistant services, and direct client support, including senior home visits, safety check-ins, grocery delivery, and accompaniment to appointments, helping reduce social isolation, address urgent needs, and navigate daily challenges with greater safety and dignity.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant has been tremendous,” said Mudassara Anwar, Executive Director of MIAG Centre for Diverse Women & Families. “This grant has enabled us to provide much-needed, compassionate support to vulnerable community members. Through the Second Brother & Sister Program, we are providing essential support, guidance, and companionship to people experiencing challenges and isolation, helping them address urgent needs and navigate difficult circumstances. Most importantly, we are helping people feel supported, safe, and connected when they need it most”.
MIAG Centre for Diverse Women & Families strives to address evolving community needs and promote the active participation of diverse communities, including women, men, seniors, children, youth, and families. Through programs such as the Second Brother & Sister Program, MIAG strengthens the capacity of individuals and families from diverse ethno-cultural communities through empowerment, innovation, and well-being-focused programs and services. To learn more about MIAG’s programs and services, please visit www.miag.ca.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:
Mudassara Anwar, Executive Director
MIAG Centre for Diverse Women & Families
Phone: 905-399-7520
Email: mudassara@miag.ca
