The Saskatchewan Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Spring Lorne and Evelyn Johnson Fund grants. This spring the Fund supported 15 charitable organizations for a total of $136,500. The Fund is intended to promote social, cultural, religious, educational and other activities deemed beneficial to communities in southern Saskatchewan with priority given to the City of Regina. This also includes providing educational opportunities, and support for the arts within these communities.
Congratulations to the successful applicants!
Project Name: Keeping Warm One Stitch at a time.
Funding is needed to finance costs incurred in supplying our volunteer membership to enable them to create handcrated items of warmth which include hats, mitts, scarves, afghans quilts, etc.
Project Name: – Screen and Projector Upgrade
This initiative includes purchasing a projector Panasonic WUXGA 8.2Klm LCD Laser PJ-White. We will be also purchasing an upfront screen Da-Lite 70258L: Tensioned Cosmopolitan Series, 100″ x 160″ with Da-Mat – 70258L which will roll down automatically with remote control, making it more user-friendly. This projector and screen package will be used for music shows, theatre events, lectures, literary works, community conversation groups, dance performances, and more.
Project Name: Grief and Trauma Camp for Children and Youth
The Camp provides trauma-informed, culturally safe and informed support to young people ages 5-17. The camp addresses the difficulties young people face after experiencing the death of a loved one(s). Most of these young people require specialized care after traumatic losses such as suicide, homicide, and overdose deaths. Camp is developed in collaboration with our Elders with the integration of l Indigenous healing practices alongside Western therapeutic approaches-“two-eyed seeing” approach.
Project Name: Collaborative Community Programming at the Creative City Centre
In January 2026, we are moving our Regina office into the new collaborative community arts space created and managed by the Creative City Centre. This downtown hub will include co-working office space for several arts organizations, a gallery, artist-in-residence space, recording studios, and performance space. We are proposing a series of community events and workshops to engage the community, foster collaboration, and ignite creativity through partnership on behalf of the incoming tenants.
Project Name: Website & Content Creation
We will redevelop the Darke Hall website using a modern, accessible framework with improved navigation, mobile optimization, and integrated SEO tools. The project includes new hosting, design, and backend development to ensure the site is user-friendly and scalable. This upgrade will enhance our ability to promote events, sell tickets, and engage audiences online. We’ve received a quote from a local web developer and will upload it in the supporting materials section.
Project Name: Operational Support
- 5 theatrical works from modern interpretations to new Indigenous work presented
- 5 unique Land Acknowledgement art installations throughout the year, each partnered with an Indigenous artist
- Age 3-18+ Theatre School classes, day camps, and summer camps
- 60th anniversary engagement events
- Active development of partnerships across downtown and tourism sectors, including engagement events
- Targeted Indigenous engagement events and initiatives, as well as other diverse demographic equity measures
Project Name: Concerts in Care 2026 Season
Our program, Concerts in Care, is designed to deliver professionally performed live music to individuals, predominantly seniors, living in long-term care facilities and other settings where mobility, health, or cognitive challenges prevent access to public arts programming. These performances not only provide meaningful cultural experiences to underserved audiences but also supports the professional livelihood of Saskatchewan-based musicians.
Project Name: Hope’s Home Supportive Living Accessible Patio Door
Hope’s Home Supportive Living is requesting new accessible patio doors that lead to our outdoor patio which is used for summer play and activities. These accessible patio doors enable children with complex medical needs, their siblings, and typically developing children to share companionship, enhance imagination and have fun together.
Hope’s Home Supportive Living long term goal is to secure funding to turn that patio space into a four-season sunroom that could be enjoyed all year round.
Project Name: Regina Branch Homework Club
This grant will address a financial barrier for families by offering free, small group, after school tutoring support to children who have fallen behind. Homework Club has previously been offered by the Regina Branch LDAS, helping many children in Kindergarten to Grade 12 over the years. This well-loved program continues to receive much appreciation by our staff, clients, and families in the Regina community. We hope to extend it to families for another academic year to those who need it most.
Project Name: Community Bursary – Tuition
The Community Bursary is given to students entering grade 9 and is offered to those students through to Grade 12. Students must demonstrate a positive attitude and a keen interest in learning. The student’s family must also demonstrate financial need.
Project Name: Graduate Support Program (GSP)
The complexities of poverty manifested themselves differently for MTMS alumni throughout the pandemic. The outcomes of self-isolation and hybrid school schedules, compounded with disadvantaged living situations & existing mental health conditions negatively impacted many alumni, even to the point of disengaging from school. The GSP seeks to increase mental health supports and outreach resources to support students (re)engagement in school.
Project Name: Ehrlo Counselling Services – Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Group
We will offer a ten-week Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) group, conducted by 2 Master’s prepared clinicians to the vulnerable population in our community. Hosted at 1951 Francis Street, we will provide a safe, supportive space for participants to build essential DBT skills including mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. We will supply workbooks, handouts, and healthy snacks, fostering a sense of community.
Project Name: Preshool Nutrition
Providing healthy, nutritious food is a critical component of the RELC preschool program. Children are provided a good sized portion of a healthy balance of food groups. For some children, the food they receive at preschool is the bulk of their daily intake.
Parents are also engaged in families meals throughout the school year. Transportation and childcare is provided to allow parents to engage in the act of sharing a healthy meal together as a family with their school aged children.
Project Name: Regina Little Theatre 100th Anniversary Gala
Regina Little Theatre was founded in 1926. In May of 2026 it will officially be 100 years old! For a century, we have been building a creative community and offering the residents of Regina and area fine, affordable theatre. On May 9, 2026, we are paying tribute to RLT and it’s accomplishments. We are planning a gala celebration featuring performances, tributes from alumni, archival events and more. We will be showcasing the winning play from our Centennial Play-writing Competition as well.
Project Name: Regina Transition House Operational Support
RTH provides 24/7 safe shelter and trauma-informed supports for women and children fleeing violence. Services include crisis intervention, safety planning, counselling, referrals to housing, mental health, legal, and income supports, transportation, advocacy, and follow-up care. Culturally safe, trauma informed practices are integrated throughout. Operational funding will sustain these essential services, ensuring continued access to safety, healing, and long-term stability.
Project Name: 6 seater wagon to be used for the RDC (regulation developmental classroom)
This 6 seater wagon would be used for the regulation developmental classroom. RDC classroom is an intensive supports program for neurodiverse, non-verbal students. The students in this classroom learn through in-school activities, but also through outings around the city. There are 6 students ranging from grades 1 to 4. This wagon stroller would be very beneficial in supporting our outings. This wagon has 6 seats with 5 point harnesses to keep the students securely in their seat.
Project Name: Outreach Services
Outreach Services assists women and families to attain housing using a hybrid Rapid Rehousing/Housing First approach, provides needs assessment, long-term case management, attends to immediate basic needs (e.g. food/clothing security), provides advocacy, systems navigation and support services, assistance to find and apply for sources of income, access to Indigenous art/culture for healing, and follow up support to maintain housing and wellbeing.
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