$100,000 OTF Grant from the Ontario Government Supports Development of Community and Workshops for Young Adults who Have “Aged Out” of Ontario’s Child Welfare System

Toronto, ON – On Sunday, representatives from Never Too Late (NTL) spoke to the results of a $100,000 Seed grant from provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to create a series of relationally-focused workshops on mental wellbeing and develop a peer-to-peer community for young adults who have or will “age out” of Ontario’s child welfare system.

“Congratulations to the team at Never Too Late on the work you’ve done since receiving a $100,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed grant to pilot a peer-designed program supporting young people transitioning out of foster care,” said Jessica Bell, MPP for University-Rosedale. “This important program will help youth build lasting relationships, strengthen community connections, and foster a greater sense of belonging. The funding has supported innovative approaches to ensuring that young people aging out of care have meaningful, long-term support networks as they move into adulthood.”

The year-long grant, awarded late last year, has been critical in developing the peer-to-peer community of former foster youth through low-barrier community events, professional development opportunities, one-to-one support and service navigation. Eighty-six per cent of surveyed community members said that being part of Never Too Late (NTL) has contributed to their sense of wellbeing and given them a sense of belonging.

A significant part of the project was to bring together team of young professionals, who have living experiences of the foster care system, to create a series of relationally-focused workshops on trauma, navigating triggers, and cultivating mental wellbeing.

“Former foster youth who have been connected to Never Too Late (NTL) over the years, myself included, have talked about how training and education exists for caregivers and service providers – but there is very little available for former foster youth themselves,” explained Wendy Hayes, Communications Lead at Never Too Late (NTL) and former foster youth. The series of workshops seeks to fill that gap and will be piloted and evaluated throughout the end of 2026.

Never Too Late (NTL) is a charitable organization that seeks to facilitate and support safe, unconditional, and lifelong connections for people who have or will have their child welfare services terminated (also known as “aging out”).

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.

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Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:
Wendy Hayes, Data, Partnership and Communications Lead
Never Too Late (NTL)
416-863-5333
Wendy.hayes@nevertoolatentl.ca