Three months after issuing a call for applications for relief funding, the United Way of Chatham-Kent (UWOCK) and the Chatham-Kent Community Fund (CKCF) are doling out nearly $436,000 in funds.
Back in May, the two groups put out a request for applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF).
The funds are earmarked to provide financial support to charities and other qualified recipients to adapt their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ECSF is funded by the Government of Canada and is administered in collaboration locally with UWOCK, CKCF and the Canadian Red Cross.
“We are thankful to the government for its support during this challenging time. We are pleased to be working alongside our community partners that provide vital services to individuals who are vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19,” said Cathy Cabral, of the Canadian Red Cross, in a media release. “I am truly honoured to be working in such a giving and caring community.”
Ruth Hook, chair of the CKCF, echoed those sentiments.
“The Foundation is very proud to be working with Community Foundations Canada and our local partners in this collective effort to flow the funds provided by the Government of Canada to the most impacted populations in Chatham-Kent.”
Over the past few months, UWOCK officials report they received 45 applications for community programs and services that support vulnerable community members. A total of 32 grants have been approved for the Government of Canada’s ECSF for a total of $435,897 and have already received their funding.
Recipients are:
(These programs were funded in part by UWOCK and CKCF)
Active Lifestyle Centre, $25,000 – Funds will be used to offer outreach programs, services, health services (footcare) and support to the older adult population of Chatham-Kent that is 50+.
This program was funded $12,500 in part by United Way and $12,500 in part by Community Foundations.
Family Service Kent: $48,375 – Funds will be used to offer a co-ordinated system that will increase access to food and support service navigation, especially in smaller communities, through a co-ordinated delivery system and a mobile market.
This program was funded $16,125 in part by United Way and $32,250 in part by Community Foundations.
Loads of Love: $15,000 – Funds will be used to reopen the thrift store.
This program was funded $7,500 in part by United Way and $7,500 in part by Community Foundations.
March of Dimes: $26,800 – Funds will be used to support their social connections programming. Social connect promotes an inclusive community, despite physical distancing in response to COVID-19, by matching a local person with a disability with a volunteer.
This program was funded $13,400 in part by United Way and $13,400 in part by Community Foundations.
The Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent: $40,000 – Funds will be used to provide outreach through peer support, educational opportunities, social rehabilitation, self help, referrals to appropriate services, paid and volunteer opportunities as well as family support.
This program was funded $20,000 in part by United Way and $20,000 in part by Community Foundations.
Victoria Order of Nurses (VON): $5,000 – Funds will be used to match youth with socially isolated seniors who are struggling with the social distancing measures put in place due to Covid-19.
This program was funded $2,500 in part by United Way and $2,500 in part by Community Foundations.
(These next programs were funded on behalf of United Way of Chatham-Kent’s portion of the Emergency Community Response Fund.)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent: $26,700 – Funds will be used to support virtual outreach programming to the doubly vulnerable youth to decrease likelihood that it will take them years to recover from the impact of social distancing during COVID-19.
Canadian Liver Foundation: $10,000 – Funds will be used to offer virtual support services for individuals living with liver disease.
Chatham-Kent Children’s Services: $23,348 – Funds will be used to support the Autism Transitional Classroom providing short-term placement for students in Chatham-Kent with very severe developmental disabilities-Autism and Intellectual Disabilities.
Chatham-Kent Community Health Centre: $19,063.20 – Funds will support migrant worker health programing.
Chatham-Kent Drug Awareness Council: $10,000 – Funds will be used to promote education and knowledge exchange to our community to help prevent, treat and reduce the harms associated with substance use.
Chatham Kent Women’s Centre: $15,000 – Funds will be used towards creating and distributing activity and resource kits for men, women and children impacted by intimate partner violence to help improve their emotional and social well-being.
Chatham-Kent Public Health: $15,000 – Funds will be used for mental health initiatives in co-ordination with multiple non-profit organizations.
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada: $2,000 – Funds will be used to offer virtual mental health group support.
Family Service Kent: $7,500 – Funds will provide C-K’s vulnerable persons with nutritious, prepared meals at a subsidized rate; free delivery anywhere in C-K for people in need.
Easter Seals Ontario: $8,761 – Funds will be used to provide mobility and accessibility equipment to children and supporting their families in the Chatham-Kent region facing increased challenges due to the COVID19 crisis.
Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent: $39,380 – Funds will offer academic assistance to elementary aged children through tutoring and Facebook Live reading sessions.
New Beginnings ABI & Stroke Recovery Association: $5,000 – Funds will be used to focus on making our outdoor space accessible to our members for programming.
Ridgetown and Area Adult Activity Centre: $5,000 – Funds will be used to offer foot care onsite by a RPN to members and the community. Adequate timely foot care can reduce health complications.
Victoria Order of Nurses (VON): $50,000 – Funds will be used to support the Kids’ Circle program that specializes in illness and bereavement support for children and teens (4-18) in one to one and group sessions.
(These programs were funded on behalf of Chatham-Kent Community Foundation’s portion of the Emergency Community Response Fund.)
Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation: $5,000 – Funds will be used to provide wage support for additional hours to support care to residences and their families.
Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre: $3,000 – Funds will be used to provide PPE and basic needs for shelter workers and clients.
Family Service Kent: $7,500 – Funds will be used to provide the community’s most vulnerable frozen meals at a subsidized rate.
Family Service Kent: $15,000 – Funds will be used to provide free single session counselling for mental health support.
Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent: $5,926 – Funds will be used to provide literacy programming to school-aged children.
Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent: $10,000 – Funds will be used to provide food packages and delivery service for their clients; and support their compassion calls daily, peer support, online programs, and virtual meetings to keep people connected.
NeighbourLink: $10,000 – Funds will be used to provide outreach programming and provide a delivery service to people who are isolating and requiring basic needs.
Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent: $9,572 – Funds will be used to support the Positive Strides program into the transition of using virtual platforms and in person when safe.
St. Andrew’s Residence: $19,000 – Funds will be used to support meal deliveries through the Meals on Wheels Chatham-Kent programing.
Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada: $1,500 – Funds will be used to provide “Play From Home” care packages to support 15 immunocompromised children living in C-K.
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario Chatham-Kent: $ 7,840 – Funds will be used to provide activity toolkits.
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario Chatham-Kent: $ 2,450 – Funds will be used to provide support to seniors through check-in phone calls and care packages.
Steve Pratt, CEO of United Way of Chatham-Kent, said you can see the power of teamwork here.
“When we collectively work together, we can ensure that there are services out there to help people in this community and to prevent duplication or fracturing of existing supports,” he said. “By working together, we can ensure that forgotten areas in our community are not left behind and we are better prepared for the community’s rapidly emerging needs.”
The ECSF is a $350M investment by the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19.
For people wanting to sign up for volunteer initiatives, make a donation to the Chatham-Kent COVID-19 Community Response fund or for those in need of assistance, visit CKgives.ca.
