Funding is creating more ways for people living with acquired brain injury and their caregivers to connect, participate and belong.
Community connection is part of recovery. A chance to make art, try yoga, volunteer, learn something new or simply spend time with others can help rebuild confidence and a sense of belonging after a brain injury.
Mind Forward is grateful to receive a $191,400 Grow grant from the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). On Août 14, the organization hosted an event at Mississauga Valley Park to recognize the investment and the opportunities it is creating for people living with acquired brain injury and their caregivers across Peel, Halton and Dufferin.
The impact is already being felt. In the project’s first year, more than 500 people have directly benefited from expanded community-based rehabilitation and inclusive programming.
From funding to opportunity
The grant supports a full-time Community Engagement Coordinator who develops partnerships and creates more ways for Mind Forward clients to connect, learn and take part in community life.
Since the project began, Mind Forward has developed and strengthened partnerships with SAVIS, CreativeHub 1362, Safe City Mississauga, Goji Yoga, JTI Boxing and the Mississauga Arts Council. Together, these collaborations have opened up opportunities in wellness, mindfulness, arts, recreation, volunteering, education and community outings.
One especially meaningful moment was a public showcase of artwork created by Mind Forward clients at CreativeHub 1362. It gave artists the chance to share their work in a community setting and invited the broader public to see their creativity, perspective and talent.
“For many people living with brain injury, recovery is about more than medical care. It is also about rebuilding confidence, relationships and a sense of belonging. This grant is helping us bring more opportunities into the community, where people can be seen, included and supported to take part in experiences that matter to them.” – Hunter Saggar, CEO, Mind Forward Brain Injury Services
Why community belonging matters
This work is about more than adding activities to a calendar. Each new partnership creates another pathway into community life – one that is welcoming, accessible and grounded in what people living with brain injury tell us matters to them.
“For people living with acquired brain injury, being part of a strong and inclusive community can make an enormous difference in their journey toward greater independence and quality of life,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga Centre. She also recognized the role of communitypartnerships in helping people and caregivers access the support, connection and sense of belonging they deserve.
A shared investment in inclusion
We are grateful to the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Trillium Foundation for investing in this work, and to every community partner helping to turn that investment into real experiences. We also thank the clients, caregivers and staff whose ideas, participation and leadership continue to shape the project.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107 million in 746 community projects.
Learn more about Mind Forward’s programs and services at mindforward.org, or visit otf.ca to learn more about the Ontario Trillium Foundation