Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) Round 2
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unpredictable and challenging time for many, with some communities experiencing higher levels of vulnerability than others. Marginalized groups, youth, children and the elderly, essential workers, and newcomers are just some of the communities that have faced increased challenges. To provide emergency relief, the Government of Canada launched the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) to help support communities made increasingly vulnerable by the pandemic.
With COVID-19 cases increasing in many communities, and a continuous call for emergency relief, the ECSF will reopen with a second round of funding, providing much-needed assistance to charities and non-profit organizations serving communities experiencing vulnerability. The Government of Canada is flowing this funding through Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross. We are proud to be working with CFC and the Government of Canada to deliver funding locally in Algoma to ensure that our citizens are safe and healthy.
Round 2 of the ECSF launched Oct. 5, 2020 and saw the ACF receive an additional $87,850 in funding for the Algoma District which lead to the ACF’s ECSF Grant Committee – comprising of volunteers from across Algoma – to recommend the funding of an additional 8 organizations. In total, the ACF received 15 applications with a total request amount of $246,460. Each of these organizations are leading important initiatives that address pressing challenges in our communities:
Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund ($15,000)
This project will allow individuals and families to receive a Christmas Hamper by providing transportation, grocery cards, and drug store cards. It is anticipated that there will be an increased need for the hampers with over 160 families/individuals in need in the Wawa, Hawk Junction, Mission, and Michipicoten First Nation region.
Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre – Mino-Bimaadiziwin ($7,500)
Funding will support increased participation in physical fitness, nutrition promotion, diabetes education, commercial smoking prevention/cessation and healthier living amongst urban Indigenous people during the pandemic.
Phoenix Rising Home and Women’s Centre – Safety/Food Security Program ($5,500)
Phoenix Rising is a multi-faceted organization providing support services for women. Funding will be used to support the safe food delivery system and to purchase sanitation equipment. This ensures safe access to nutritious food for women in the community.
Waabinong Head Start Family Resource Centre – Taking Care of Each Other ($30,000)
Waabinong Head Start Family Resource Centre strives to meet the needs of Urban Anishinaabek, Metis and Inuit families by strengthening the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional well-being of the family. This funding will provide food, household essentials and personal COVID-19 protection to the families that utilize the resource centre.
Dr. Harold S. Trefry Memorial Centre – Adult Day Out Activity Kits ($5,600)
The Memorial Centre provides affordable and necessary services to seniors and persons with a disability allowing them to remain in their homes and community. Nine programs are available to 12 local rural municipalities from Thessalon to Echo Bay, including St. Joseph Island. Funding will support individual activity kits and facilitation equipment to combat social isolation among residents and to provide caregivers respite.
St. Josephs General Hospital – The OAKS Centre Patient Care ($13,500)
The OAKS Centre is a fully accredited acute care facility that provides withdrawal management services and residential treatment programming for chemical dependency. This funding will aid in program continuity as well as the purchasing of necessary equipment and food that will enhance the experience of individuals attending the Centre and increase the likelihood of those in completing withdrawal management.
Ontario Finnish Rest Home Association – Kotitalo In-room Meal Delivery program ($7,000)
This funding will go towards ensuring the health and safety of residents and staff by delivering made to order, in-room, meals as well as a continental breakfast and extended coffee times and small group activities, while practicing social distancing. This program was developed with the input and approval by the residents themselves ensuring the best way of delivering safe food delivery and combating the effects of isolation.
Soup Kitchen Community Centre – Fridge/Cooler Purchase ($3,750)
The Soup Kitchen aims to address the needs of those living in poverty by providing nutritious meals, hygiene products, advocacy and information. This funding will help to purchase a new fridge/cooler so that they can continue to meet all of the Algoma Public Health regulations that are in place during and beyond Covid 19.
The Algoma Community Foundation commends all applicants and recipients on their hard work, and looks forward to continuing to partner with them on future programming and funding opportunities.
