Top of page
Education and Employment

Ontario Renews Funding Program for Children with Autism

Young female teacher sitting at desk with a Down syndrome schoolboy using a tablet computer

Ontario is renewing funding for the Legends Mentoring Program and providing $325,000 in 2019-20.

The Legends Mentoring Program matches youth, young adults, college students and caring adults, with a child or youth with autism.

Volunteer mentors, many from high school and university hockey teams, will share time with their mentees who will greatly benefit from having a friend and whose family will benefit from a few hours of respite on a regular basis.

The goal of the Jake’s House Legends Mentoring Program is for children with autism to find acceptance and lasting friendships.

For children and youth with autism participating in the program, 56 in the first two years, the aim is to:

  • Increase their community engagement and sense of inclusion,
  • Help them develop social skills and improve their social experiences, and
  • Improve their relationships with their peers and community members.

The mentoring program provides screening, pre-match training and mentoring coordinators to help with the recruitment and matching processes as well as ongoing support to mentors. It also provides additional training to better understand issues related to children and youth with autism.

You might also like

Hand banging gavel on dark background, the judge makes a verdict Hand banging gavel on dark background, the judge makes a verdict

HC greenlights breakthrough stem cell treatment for children with autism

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court approved the use of…

girl is sitting in the room while learning new lesson via online girl is sitting in the room while learning new lesson via online

Social media platforms disappointing failure in supporting autistic users

While understanding and awareness of autism has majorly progressed in…

woman with her baby boy on a summer sunny day woman with her baby boy on a summer sunny day

Minister unveils pilot program for early autism intervention in infants

The Telethon Kids Institute (TKI) will deliver a pilot program…

Massage therapist working with cute baby Massage therapist working with cute baby

Therapy for infants with autism symptoms cuts long-term disability costs

New research evaluating the potential cost savings of a therapy…