2025 Lorne and Evelyn Johnson Fund Grant Results

Project Name: Sponsorship Program

This project is dedicated to providing children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with the
opportunity to attend summer camp. We believe that every child deserves the chance to experience the joy
and growth that camp offers. Through our programs, campers develop new skills, build self-confidence, and
strengthen their resilience—empowering them for a brighter future. Our goal is to have at least 10% of our
campers sponsored, and we are proud to have consistently met or exceeded this target. Thanks to the
generosity of our patrons, no child is ever turned away from experiencing the magic of camp. Campers in our
sponsorship program are identified through parishes, schools, and family applications. Children between the
ages of 6 and 15 can choose from a variety of enriching programs, including overnight camps, day camps, and
wilderness adventures.

Project Name: – Food Delivery Program

This project is to help cover the costs to deliver the hot, nutritious food to the little children attending three
elementary schools in the inner city (north central) area of Regina, Saskatchewan. It will also help with the
picking up of food donations from supermarkets, and picking up of groceries for the hot lunch program. Chili
for Children has been providing a nutritious lunch to the children; however, it relies solely on donations,
grants and fundraising by the staff. The delivery of the nutritious meals to the three schools is a cost that is
rarely covered by the donations, etc. There are two Indigenous staff members, costs for a vehicle, gas, doing
the delivery of the food at lunch times during the school year.

Project Name: Expansion of Kitchen Facilities for Community Lunch Program

This project is to expand our kitchen facilities to include a commercial kitchen to accommodate the ever increasing community demand. Hunger continues to be the most pressing need for the most vulnerable members of our community. From April 2023 to March 2024, we provided a total of 23,620 bagged lunches. This was an increase of 39% from the previous year. With this kitchen redesign we will also be able to provide access to the space for our other programs, such as our Cultural Connections for Kids Parent Nights for example. This will be vital to ensuring that we are not only able to providing lunches, but to also expand our programs as we continue to work to connect with some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community in meaningful ways, building trust and relationships. This is a vital step forward in our ongoing efforts to support the community. 

Project Name: ArtsReach Regina: Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunities

Every child deserves the chance to explore their creativity, but for many in Regina, financial barriers make
arts participation impossible. ArtsReach Regina is removing these obstacles so that cost is never a reason a
child is denied access to dance, music, theatre, or visual arts. This grant will provide 30 underserved children
with full funding to enroll in high-quality arts programs led by experienced instructors. Beyond learning an
instrument or perfecting a dance move, arts participation builds confidence, improves mental well-being, and
strengthens social connections. Studies show that children involved in the arts are more likely to succeed
academically and develop leadership skills that last a lifetime. This project directly reflects the Johnsons’
commitment to enriching Regina’s cultural landscape. Their legacy was about making the arts accessible to
all, and this initiative ensures that no child is left behind due to financial hardship.

Project Name: Campbell Street Phase 2 Build

This grant will be used to help families break the cycle of poverty through affordable homeownership. Unlike
traditional mortgages, families who partner with Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan are given an opportunity they would not otherwise have—foregoing a down payment and instead investing 500 volunteer hours as part of their commitment to homeownership. Habitat homes are described as “a hand up, not a handout” because they are purchased at fair market value, but with a unique, income-based mortgage structure. Mortgage payments are set at 25% of the family’s total household income, making homeownership attainable for families who may not qualify for a conventional mortgage.

Project Name: Child, Youth and Family Empowerment Program

Help NCFC continue to deliver their children and youth program and increase our staff capacity to provide more outreach services and supports to the parents/guardians of the children and youth who attend our after school and evening program. Many of the children who come to the Centre are vulnerable as they come from homes with multiple stressors. The children in North Central experience a range of challenges; some resulting from poverty, environmental deprivation, neglect and/or abuse, colonial impacts rippling through the families. It takes a village to raise a child and NCFC is part of that village for many households in the neighborhood. NCFC struggles to have the capacity to not only deliver the after school and evening program for youth but also provide supports at the family level so that we can set up the whole family for success and build stronger environments for the children and youth at home. This would include but not limited to providing tangible items and teachings.

Project Name: mîcisotān program

This project is to celebrate Indigenous food traditions, provide healthy meals to seniors and share traditional knowledge with younger generations through programming at the mâmawêyatitân centre, as well as support Indigenous involvement in the Good Food Box program and build partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities.

Project Name: Nourishing Young Minds

This project is to oversee the development and implementation of child food service programs in Regina schools. To provide nutritious food to at-risk youth in Regina schools.

Project Name: Pet Connection Food Bank

This project is to ensure that pets in our community do not go hungry and that families facing financial hardship can continue to care for their animals. Through donations and purchased pet food from generous community members and businesses, the RHS Pet Connection Food Bank Program provides critical support to those struggling to afford necessities for their pets. By distributing these supplies to 10 local, non-profit organizations across Regina, the program helps keep families together, reinforcing the powerful bond between people and their animals. This support is vital for marginalized individuals, for whom pets often provide unconditional love, support, and stability in difficult times. Many will prioritize feeding their pets over themselves, making access to pet food and supplies crucial in preserving both their well-being and cherished bond with their animals. This initiative serves as a lifeline, ensuring that our community remains compassionate, connected, and resilient.

Project Name: Operations

This project is to assist the Regina Symphony Orchestra with operational costs.

Project Name: SCEP CENTRE Summer Friends Program 2025

This initiative will provide children with complex needs the opportunity to participate in safe summer programming. The children enrolled at SCEP have severe communication and behaviour challenges which prevent them from participating in public summer camps or other summer programs. We provide specially-trained one-on-one partners for the enrolled children in order to ensure physical and emotional safety as they venture into the community to enjoy all that the City of Regina has to offer. The program also helps to maintain the progress the children have made throughout the year at SCEP as they prepare to move on to school. Families report that the respite they receive during the program is extremely unique and valuable.