Every parent wants to give her child the opportunities that she never had. The Pear Tree Foundation is a tribute to the women who would be proud to see what their sacrifices have accomplished today.
This fund was established in the loving memory of Alexandrine Poirier (1903-1991), Marie Poirier (1944-2005), and Bernadine Joel (1965-2019). Despite being born into lives of hardship, each of these women did everything in their power to create something better for their children.
The Pear Tree Foundation’s mandate is to support local organizations that are helping people lift themselves out of generational poverty, and fight against the many systemic problems perpetuating the cycle.
The Pear Tree Foundation is a donor-advised fund managed by the London Community Foundation. Donations to the fund are pooled until reaching a threshold at which grants from investment revenue are assigned to local organizations. View the latest impact report.
The design of the fund is intended to create lasting change, with a growing ability to contribute to outreach and assistance programs that uplift individuals in the community. Over time, this impact becomes larger as we become able to provide more grants each year.
Help parents through the challenges of making ends meet while providing for children.
Give children the opportunity to escape the circumstances of their early lives.
Increase our ability to assist local organizations and initiatives.
Donations to the Pear Tree Foundation are passed through to charitable action groups, and have supported the following charities.
The Ark provides a place and community for marginalized and vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness, extreme poverty, addictions, untreated mental health issues and disenfranchisement from mainstream community. The Ark often provides a welcome to people who struggle to access traditional services and require low-barrier access to these services.
Atlohsa provides community members with Indigenous-led programming and services that offer holistic healing, education, shelter and support. We primarily serve Indigenous peoples, including elders, women, men, children and youth. Giwetashkad is an Anishnaabemowin word and concept that can roughly be translated to circle. Atlohsa offers a suite of programs and services for people experiencing homelessness based on the Giwetashkad Indigenous Homelessness Plan.
At LIFE*SPIN, we support families towards self-sufficiency by really embracing them when they have fallen into the despair of poverty, and showing them kindness and thoughtful care. Our mission is to provide information and support for individuals surviving on low incomes, and to support the empowerment and self-development of these individuals in their efforts to attain self-sufficiency.
YOU supports youth to build skills, confidence and independence to reach their potential. We believe that investing in youth and strong communities go hand in hand, and we know that many youth need guidance and support to reach their potential. Approximately 3,600 youth between the ages of 16-30 access the system of supports available at YOU each year. With donor support, we will build Joan's Place, located at the northwest corner of Richmond and York streets. Joan's Place will feature 39 affordable housing units for youth at risk, with a priority on young mothers (including their children and partners) and young moms-to-be. Joan's Place will also feature a Youth Wellness Hub, which will bring local services together to support our community's youth.
Established in 1978, Indigenous-led Nokee Kwe is an Employment and Education Centre that supports everyone on the path to employment. It offers free services to help people find rewarding and fulfilling employment, and improve literacy and the basic skills needed in today's workforce.
The GCCRC is a neighbourhood resource centre that serves Glen Cairn and Pond Mills of London, ON, creating opportunities to help our neighbours learn, grow, and work together.
The WRRC provides education, prevention, and support services for individuals and families impacted by violence against women in Middlesex County.
Nimkee is a culturally-based "away from home" addiction and mental health treatment centre for First Nations youth, committed to empowering indigenous youth, families and communities through culturally based holistic treatment and recovery services.
Crouch NRC works in the Hamilton Road neighbourhood of London, Ontario to build a healthy community, supporting residents with food and hygiene items, social assistance applications and income tax filing and recreational opportunities for adults, seniors, children and families.
Diversity Ed is a community-based organization focused on helping make the world around us a happier and safer place for 2SLGBTQAI+ folx, their families and allies.