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BY JIM MASON jmason®yrmg.mm Whitchurch-Stoufiville’s new multi- generational project will no longer have to dream about funding. Oak Ridgesâ€"Markham MPP Helena Jaczek and Savi Singh. an Ontario 'Ih'L lium Foundation volunteer. were at the grand opening of WS YOU 177 Dream Star Headquarters at the Whitchurch- Stouffvilie Public Library Thursday â€" and to offer congratulations to the community on receiving a three-year. $225,000 grant from OTF. “YOU 177 will foster more commu- nication between generations of peo- ple, in such,Whitchurch-Stouffville will become a stronger and better commu- nity," said Iaczek. Ontario's new Minis- ter of Community and Social Services. Funds from the grant will be used to implement YOU 177. a social inno- vation initiative that empowers “You” to make a difference in a big-picture context â€" 1 World with 7 Generations and 7 Billion People. A community engagement compo- nent will draw on the dreams and aspi- rations of all ages. followed by meet- DREAMY GRANT MONEY ONE FOR THE AGES official launch of the Dream Star Headquarters in the Whitchurch-Stoufiville Public Library was capped off with a ballon release Thursday. ings. and workshops to explore local needs and interests. and culminating in community action "legacy projects” designed to suppon innovation and empower bigger thinking. “This is a dream come true. With the support of (the Trillium Foundation). we have an opportunity to do some- thing big, something groundbreaking. something truly meaningful for all parts of the community," said Susan V. Bosak. head of the Legacy Project. a research and education group based near Ballantrae. Youngsters to seniors â€"â€" most wear- “This is a dream come true. With the support of (the Trillium Foundation), we have an opportunity to do something big, something groundbreaking, something truly meaningful for all parts of the community.” ing star stickers on their faces â€"-â€" took part in festivities. cmating their own dream stars and bouncing balloons dropped from the library ceiling. Developed by the legacy Project. YOU 177 is a broad-based community collaborative that includes the library. local media. service clubs. faith-based groups. schools and seniors groups. Based on a decade of research. YOU 17? is a community process that taps into what matters to transform every- thing we do. from the way we live with each other and our planet to how we learn. do business. grow up and grow older. Whitchurch-Stouffville will be a model for the rest of the country. and internationally. Bosak said. The "li'illium Foundation. an Ontar- io government agency with an annual budget of more than $100 million. awards approximately 1,500 grants each year to community-based not- for-profits and charitable organiza- tions in the am. recreation. envimn- ment and human and social services sectors. '11) find out more about WS YOU 177. visit www.myoul77.org. Connor Huntley-Skouse, 15, has stars in his eyes at Thursday’s official launch of the Dream Star Headquarters in the library. STAFF PHOTOS/MK! BARRETT 11