LDAYS Receives $245,000 OTF Grow Grant to Expand Learning Disabilities Programs Across York Region and Simcoe County
The LDAYS OTF Grow Grant supports a three-year, $245,000 investment to expand learning disabilities programming across York Region and Simcoe County.
RICHMOND HILL — The Learning Disabilities Association of York Simcoe (LDAYS) has received a three-year, $245,000 Grow grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), supporting the organization’s ongoing work to empower children, youth, and adults with learning disabilities and ADHD across York Region and Simcoe County.
MPP Daisy Wai formally congratulated the LDAYS team during a special announcement event at the organization’s Richmond Hill office on November 10. The funding will help LDAYS expand the reach and impact of its SoAR (Some Assembly Required) program, which provides students with tools to better understand their learning profiles, develop individualized strategies, and build the skills necessary to succeed academically and vocationally.
Supporting Youth Through Enhanced Programming
The Grow grant will assist LDAYS with staffing and administrative needs, as well as the purchase of program materials over the next three years. A significant portion of the funding will be used to update and strengthen the SoAR curriculum with support from a clinical psychologist. The revised program will emphasize:
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Strength-based approaches
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Interactive learning techniques
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Emotional and social skill development
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Leadership training for successful transition out of high school
The enhancements aim to improve student engagement and long-term educational outcomes while addressing the increasing demand for LDAYS services.
Expanding Services in Simcoe County
LDAYS expanded its service area in 2023 to better support families in Simcoe County—an effort that required unexpected operational investments to maintain continuity of essential programs.
Executive Director Helga Sirola said the grant will allow the organization to continue meeting those needs:
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated. In 2023, LDAYS expanded the scope of our services to better support communities in Simcoe County. To resume essential services for our most vulnerable clients in the Simcoe community, we had to make unexpected but necessary investments. This grant is making it possible for us to meet those challenges head-on and continue delivering vital support where it’s needed.”
Board President Shelley Henderson also expressed appreciation:
“As President of the Board of LDAYS, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support. This grant will play a critical role in allowing us to expand our reach and adapt our services to meet the growing needs of the Simcoe community.”
A Growing Need Across York and Simcoe
LDAYS provides guidance, advocacy, and learning support for individuals with learning disabilities and ADHD, while promoting community awareness across educational, medical, legal, social, and employment sectors. The organization also contributes to research and evidence-based approaches in the field of learning disabilities.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation—an agency of the Ontario government—supports community health, youth development, active living, economic resilience, and sustainability through province-wide grantmaking. In the past year, OTF invested nearly $105 million into more than 700 community projects.
More information about LDAYS programming is available at www.ldays.org.
Learning Disabilities Association of York Simcoe – Official Media Release, November 10, 2025
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