2026 Lorne and Evelyn Johnson Fund Grant Results

Initiative Name: Community Food Learning Kitchen

The Community Food Learning Kitchen will provide cooking education, nutrition workshops, and community meal programs for vulnerable residents in Regina’s inner neighbourhoods. Equipment funded through this grant will support hands-on cooking classes for youth, seniors, and families while strengthening food pantry operations. Programs will include youth cooking classes, newcomer food workshops, and food mentoring sessions delivered with community partners and Saskatchewan Health nutrition staff.

Initiative Name: – Summer Skills & Recreation Program

ARC’s Summer Skills & Recreation Program provides structured summer programming for autistic children and youth in Regina. The program focuses on building social skills, communication, independence, and confidence through recreational activities, learning sessions, and community outings. Participants engage in structured classroom learning, arts and crafts, physical activity, and supervised community experiences such as swimming. The
program provide 1:1 support throughout the program.

Initiative Name: EMPOWER ME Group Mentoring

EMPOWER ME is a Group Mentoring Program, that was created to support girls and gender diverse youth in Grades 5–8 as they explore who they are, build self-confidence, and grow into compassionate, powerful leaders. It is built on a justice-centred foundation, meaning that it is designed to reflect the diverse experiences, strengths, and challenges that youth face across lines of gender, culture, ability, race, class, & identity. Each program is 7-9 weeks, mentor led, 2:10 ratio, up to 90 min/week.

Initiative Name: Camp Monahan Sponsorship Program

Camp Monahan provides an inclusive, faith-based camp programming for children and youth ages 6–16. Our day and overnight camps introduce campers to outdoor recreation, including swimming, canoeing, crafts, archery, and nature exploration. Our wilderness programs include multi-day hiking and canoeing adventures in the Qu’Appelle Valley and Northern Saskatchewan. Our CIT and Teen Camp programs offer traditional overnight camp experiences with a focus on deeper skill development and leadership.

Initiative Name: Nutrition Food for Elementary School Children

C4C began feeding elementary school children (K-8) who were roaming the streets at noon hour because they did not have food at home to eat. The feeding program began in 1979, incorporated in 1985. At the time, the children being fed were approximately 7 children and now there are 1,000 children being fed in 3 schools in the north central area of Regina. The funding applied for will go towards the purchase of healthy food for the children. C4C
relies on grants and donations to feed the children.

Initiative Name: Double The Impact Program

Dress for Success Regina will deliver employment readiness services including professional suiting, the Empower for Employment (E4E) program, and targeted workshops on financial literacy, career development, and confidence building. These services support women facing barriers to employment by equipping them with tools, skills, and support needed to secure and sustain meaningful work.

Initiative Name: Community Connect Regina

Community Connect Regina (CCR) is a collaborative, online platform (www.communityconnectregina.ca) that improves access to mental health and community services for children, youth, and families. Through a centralized booking system, users can view real-time availability and connect directly to supports across multiple organizations. CCR also provides curated mental health resources and leverages coordinated outreach and marketing to increase awareness and equitable access.

Initiative Name: Regina Homework Club Program

The LDAS – Regina Homework Club arose to fill a community gap by offering a free, afterschool, small-group program where children receive quality education in English, Math, and Science. This initiative allows children from grades K to 12 an inclusive space to tackle their schoolwork alongside their peers. Students will experience the benefits of additional direct support with a tutor, including a boost in confidence in one’s abilities, increased
openness to learning, and higher academic grades.

Initiative Name: Summer Child and Youth Program

The Summer Child and Youth Program provides structured, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded programming for children and youth ages 6–17 in North Central Regina. The program offers daily recreation, cultural learning, nutrition support, and mentorship, with age specific programming that supports social-emotional development, leadership, and community connection. It operates as a safe, low-barrier space during summer months when
school-based supports are unavailable.

Initiative Name: Young Parent Program Special Support Child Care Worker

The Special Support Worker will provide care and support to young Indigenous parents and their children. 60% of the role will focus on safe trauma informed childcare for infants and young children, including those experiencing developmental delays, including activities that support early learning while maintain a supportive culturally appropriate environment. 40% of the role supports relationship[p building cultural connections strength based support,
increasing parenting confidence.

Initiative Name: Pet Connection Food Bank

The Pet Connection Food Bank provides free pet food and essential supplies to individuals and families facing financial hardship in Regina. Operating weekly and in partnership with 14 community organizations, the program distributed over 6,000 kg of pet food in 2025 and is on track to provide 10,000–12,000 kg in 2026. This support helps ease financial stress, ensures people do not have to choose between themselves and their pets, and keeps families together during difficult times.

Initiative Name: Summer Friends Program 2026 

SCEP’s Summer Friends program offers children enrolled, recreational, cultural and therapeutic experiences during the summer in a safe and inclusive environment. We provide specially-trained one-on-one partners for the enrolled children in order to ensure physical and emotional safety as they venture into the community. Families report that the respite they receive during the program is extremely unique and valuable. Transportation and food are also provided.

Initiative Name: Shelter Health Initiative — Bed Bug Heat Room

This small capital project would have significant impact on our residents, many of whom show up at our shelter carrying bed bugs on their person or in their belongings. The creation of a bed bug heat room would help us eliminate this challenge and create a safer, healthier space for all residents. The project would involve renovating an existing room to upgrade electrical capacity, locking mechanisms, and interior surfaces to withstand the extreme heat
required to eliminate the bed bug threat.

Initiative Name: Regina Launch

U-Turn Parkinson’s will launch our services in Regina, starting with our free, Parkinson’s specific exercise programs. Through evidence-informed exercise, peer connection, and education, we empower people living with Parkinson’s (PD) – as well as their care partners and families – to manage symptoms, enhance quality of life, and live their best. This will be the first time Regina’s PD community has access to comprehensive, free, PD-specific wellness programming delivered multiple times per week.

Initiative Name: Child Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Program

Love146’s Not a Number program will be delivered in Regina through partnerships with local community and children and youth serving agencies, including the YMCA Beyond the Bell. Program staff will be trained in the curriculum and will deliver age‑appropriate, trauma‑informed prevention education sessions for children and youth and engagement sessions for parents and caregivers focused on exploitation awareness, boundaries, healthy
relationships, and online safety