Role of the Foundation in the Funding Ecosystem
The Toni Kohn-Woodward Foundation is a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting young women at risk in Canada. Established in memory of Toni Kohn-Woodward, the foundation focuses on empowering young women to build healthy social, educational, and physical foundations to design lives they love. The foundation operates primarily through partnerships with organizations like Trellis Society to deliver comprehensive support programs.
Types of Funding and Support Provided
The foundation provides multiple forms of support:
- Financial Support: Educational funding including tuition, tutors, books and supplies; financial planning and counseling; assistance in obtaining part-time work
- Educational Support: Academic guidance, tutoring, internships, career planning, work placement assistance
- Social Support: Counseling, group programs, team building exercises, social experiences for independence, motivational speakers, mentorships
- Healthy Lifestyle Support: Structured fitness programs, nutritional counseling
The Toni Kohn House Program
The foundation's flagship initiative is The Toni Kohn House, a live-in housing program operated in partnership with Trellis Society. This program provides long-term housing and comprehensive supports in a home-like environment to young women ages 14-24 who are at risk of homelessness. The program aligns with the innovative Foyer model for youth, which is gaining attention across Canada as a promising approach to ending youth homelessness.