Last month, the Thorold Community Activities Group (TCAG) held their annual general meeting.
It was a very special night as the community organization celebrated the accomplishments of new executive director Megan Gilchrist, as well as the achievements of former director Dan Pelletier.
“It’s been a shared year because Dan was here for half the year and I was here for half the year,” says Gilchrist, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “It was nice to have him there and have that contribution that he made to the organization recognized.”
Gilchrist describes 2022 as a transitional year for the TCAG, as the organization was still finding its footing after the pandemic.
“Our overall feeling is that it was really positive, considering we were still sort of in recovery mode,” Gilchrist says. “Being able to come through COVID in such a positive manner has been really beneficial for me coming into the position.”
These days, the TCAG is bustling full of activity again.
“We received some really exciting grants that are coming down the pipeline,” says Gilchrist. “We’re going to have a new roof installed in two weeks, hopefully pending the weather. We’re still waiting to hear about the green roof but we certainly have some momentum on fundraising.”
Gilchrist hopes that 2023 will be a year of reconnecting with the local community. She points to the federal ‘New Horizons for Seniors’ grant the TCAG recently received, to help put on programming for older adults.
“We’re working with the library, the Age Friendly Committee, and the Seniors' Centre,” she says. “It will be a year-long series of events that will take place to benefit older adults in Thorold, as well as some multi-generational programming.”
The grant figures into the group’s renewed focus on visibility and engagement.
The TCAG also hopes to focus more on fostering leadership in youth, says Gilchrist.
“Our summer camps just opened up and one of the new programs we have is going to be a 'Leaders in Training' program for ages 11 to 15,” she says. “A lot of times those kids get left out of programming. This is an opportunity for them to get skills and some certifications and hopefully keep those things in Thorold, develop those leaders and use those skills to benefit the community.”
One thing's for certain: Gilchrist is looking forward to what 2023 will bring for the TCAG.
“I’m personally really excited,” Gilchrist says. “Our word going forward for the next year is going to be connection. That’s my projection for 2023.”
