THORNHILL – The Ontario government is investing $600,000 in Kayla’s Children Centre (KCC) in Thornhill to expand its programming for teens and young adults with disabilities. The funding, spread over three years, will help create opportunities for participants to build independence, life skills, and pre-vocational training as they transition into adulthood.
The investment comes through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Grow grant stream, which supports non-profit organizations in expanding programs that have already demonstrated a positive community impact.
Kayla’s Children Centre Thornhill launching new Healthy Living Centre
With the grant, KCC is launching its Young Adult Healthy Living Centre, a new facility that includes a model apartment and fitness centre. Here, young adults will learn essential skills like cooking, cleaning, personal care, and exercise, while also developing social and employment-related abilities.
“Our new Young Adult Healthy Living Centre includes a spacious apartment and fitness centre where young adults with disabilities can learn to cook, clean, learn self-care, exercise, and socialize,” said Yaffi Scheinberg, CEO of KCC. “This space will prepare participants for independent or semi-independent living and equip them with pre-vocational skills to increase their chances of future employability. As our participants mature, our centre must evolve to meet their needs. This new space offers age-appropriate programming for young adults that will significantly improve their outcomes in the future. We are so grateful for the OTF grant for helping to make this possible.”
Local and provincial support
Thornhill MPP Laura Smith said the funding will give young people and their families more opportunities to thrive.
“This investment is about more than just dollars, it’s about empowering our youth to reach their full potential,” Smith said. “This funding will enable KCC to expand its programs, reach more families, and create more opportunities to improve lives right here in Thornhill.”
Stan Cho, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, emphasized that OTF grants help non-profits across the province grow in ways that make a tangible difference.
“In Thornhill and all across Ontario, non-profits are delivering critical services that enable people to train for new careers, stay active, learn new things, and connect with their community,” Cho said. “This investment helps ensure local non-profit groups can build on their successes and expand in ways that benefit communities across the province.”
Strengthening Ontario’s non-profit sector
Since 2018, the Ontario Trillium Foundation has invested more than $763 million in over 7,000 projects across the province, generating over $1.1 billion in economic benefits and creating more than 9,400 full-time jobs. Its Grow grants, which provide between $100,000 and $600,000 over two to three years, allow organizations to expand or adapt programs that are already proven effective.
For Thornhill, the funding means that more youth with disabilities will have access to the resources they need to gain independence, build confidence, and prepare for future employment. It also ensures that local families will continue to have access to specialized programming without needing to leave their community.
A community impact
Kayla’s Children Centre has long been recognized in the region for providing inclusive educational, therapeutic, and recreational programs for children and youth with special needs. With the expansion into young adult programming, KCC is aiming to fill a critical gap in services—ensuring that teens transitioning into adulthood don’t lose access to the support they rely on.
Parents often worry about what comes next for their children once they age out of traditional youth programs. The Young Adult Healthy Living Centre directly addresses that concern by providing a structured environment where participants can continue to grow, practice independence, and prepare for adult life.
The $600,000 grant represents both financial stability and a vote of confidence in the centre’s work. For families in Thornhill and beyond, it’s an investment in brighter futures—one that will leave a lasting imprint on the community.
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