Less than six months ago, news reports about COVID-19 infections, deaths and quarantines in China took the world by surprise. Here in Canada, 115,000 people have been diagnosed and tragically, 8,934 people have lost their lives as of July 27.
To curtail the spread of COVID-19, Canadians have anxiously coped with an unprecedented lockdown of social activity, lost jobs, economic uncertainty and the continuing stress of widespread uncertainty. Marginalized groups, youth, children and the elderly, essential workers, and newcomers are just some of the communities facing increased challenges right now.
Thankfully, the Government of Canada launched a $350M Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) on May 19 to help vulnerable populations that are disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
National networks such as Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), United Centraide Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross ensured that these much-needed funds reached people as quickly as possible. Because Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund had to be disbursed by no later than July 31, community partners worked to award hundreds of grants across the country.
Locally, The County Foundation is connecting these funds to organizations that are directly helping vulnerable populations and helping keep people safe and healthy during these difficult times. In recent weeks, local charities and non-profits in both Prince Edward County and Hastings County have received some much-needed funding assistance.
Here in the Region, Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund grants totalling $293,000 have been awarded to:
- Alternatives For Women, Picton – For outdoor counselling space that allows privacy and social distancing in a safe location
- Community Development Council of Quinte, Belleville – For changing the delivery model of the Good Food Boxes and Good Food Markets to serve a broader population in outlying areas
- Easter Seals of Canada – For camp visit assistance and equipment acquisition; for delivering physical and emotional support to children in the Couny
- Municipality of Prince Edward County – For a COVID-19 community and economic impact study to help determine evidence-based actions required during recovery and rebuilding
- Pentecostals of Quinte, Belleville – For transitioning Life Classes and Celebrate Recovery Programs to accessible online formats
- Prince Edward County Arts Council – For County Kids Read additional materials and education packs/kits, to be distributed by numerous dedicated partners across our County
- Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Foundation – For health-required retrofits to Thrift Shop in Picton, including an off-site rental location for quarantined donations prior to display
- Prince Edward Family Health Team – For separate clinic space devoted to mothers and infants during the pandemic
- Prince Edward Learning Centre – For transitioning a Community Volunteer Income Tax filing and financial stabilization program to online service as well as providing refunds and benefits free-of-charge
- Prince Edward County Public Libraries & Archives – For sturdy laptops designed for outside use that bring connectivity opportunities to those without online access during COVID-19 recovery and beyond
- Quinte Access – For provision of additional free transportation services to vulnerable community members who live in Prince Edward County
- Recreation and Outreach Centre (ROC) – For a neighbourhood outreach response providing food security and hygiene supplies to County youth
- Starlight Children’s Foundation of Canada – For lifting spirits with play-from-home packs for Prince Edward County children
- The County Food Hub in partnership with the Municipality – For equipment and supplies to meet demand for food security issues, supplying cooked meals for food banks as well as Food For Learning needs
- Victoria Order of Nurses – For furniture that can be readily sanitized and provide social distancing during their Adult Day programs
- Municipality of Prince Edward County – For relocation and extra delivery expenses for the County Food Depot when the Town Hall use expires
- Quinte West Youth Centre – For reopening the Centre with improved social distancing and health protocols
- St. Thomas’ Church in Belleville – For expanded community garden beds to increase produce generation
- Spinal Chord Injury, Belleville – For equipment
- Mohawks of The Bay of Quinte – For Seniors’ Program support
- Children’s Mental Health Services – For Programming support
- Quinte Health Care – For Preschool Speech and Language support
- Big Bothers, Big Sisters (Quinte West) – For Volunteer Recruiting and Vetting
- John Howard Society of Belleville – For Outdoor Counselling Space
- Mohawks of The Bay of Quinte – For Youth Outreach and Summer Programming
Working with our national partners, The County Foundation is proud to have helped ensure that many local charities and non-profits are able to access much-needed financial support from Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund.
ECSF Grant applications are now closed
Emergency Community Support Fund grant applications received by The County Foundation are now closed. Reviews of applications and awards were made on a first-come, first-served basis.
New or enhanced support or service(s) in Hastings-Prince Edward County with respect to food security, financial wellness, health and hygiene, home care or personal support services, information and navigation, legal supports, mental health and wellness, shelter, safety, social inclusion learning, transportation, etc. were considered.
All funding had to be allocated by July 31, 2020 and must be spent by recipient organizations by no later than March 31, 2021.
