Emergency Fund Supports Community’s Most Vulnerable – United Way Halton & Hamilton’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund boosted by Federal investments to strengthen social safety net

For immediate release:

Emergency Fund Supports Community’s Most Vulnerable

United Way Halton & Hamilton’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund boosted by Federal investments to strengthen social safety net

Hamilton, Ontario (May 11, 2020) – A COVID-19 Emergency Fund launched by United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) in March 2020, is receiving generous investments by the Government of Canada.

The Fund, supporting UWHH-funded agencies as well as the broader sector of local non-profit organizations, has rallied the community during this unprecedented crisis, securing more than $500,000 at the time of this release, including Federal investments.

On Tuesday April 21, 2020, the Prime Minister announced a $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund to help charities and non-profit organizations adapt frontline services supporting vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UWHH is pleased to support this important investment by the Federal Government and applauds the government’s move to support our country’s most vulnerable people.

United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC), Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations of Canada will collaborate with partners, charities, and non-profit organizations to implement the Fund in communities from coast to coast to coast. Fund allocations to UWHH are forthcoming.

“United Way Halton & Hamilton is well-positioned to help distribute this fund in our communities. From the early days of this pandemic, we have kept a pulse on urgent and emerging needs through close and frequent communication with our supported agencies, key stakeholders and municipal government, as well as other local funders,” says UWHH CEO, Brad Park.

This welcome announcement follows the Federal Government’s $9 million investment in United Ways nationally to support vulnerable seniors on March 29, 2020. UWHH received $218,794, funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

With generous donations from community, UWHH invested $50,000 in Phase One of the Emergency Fund, providing basic needs, such as food, personal protective equipment and personal hygiene products to nine local agencies.

Phase One recipients include: Elizabeth Fry Society Southern Ontario Region, Living Rock Ministries, Eva Rothwell Centre, Welcome Inn Community Centre, Halton Food for Thought, St. John Ambulance Halton Region, SAVIS of Halton, Community Living North Halton and ForestView Church/Next Door.

Phase Two allocations provide support for vulnerable and isolated seniors. UWHH invested the Federal Government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program funding in 16 local agencies. Recipients include: Acclaim Health, Community Living Oakville/Community Living Burlington (joint), Distress Centre Halton, Friday Night Community/Wellington Square United Church, Hartmann’s Community Centre, Kerr Street Mission, Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre, Oakville Meals on Wheels, The Women’s Centre of Halton, Ancaster Community Services, Good Shepherd Centre Hamilton, Grenfell Ministries, St Matthew’s House, VON (Victorian Order of Nurses), Wesley and YWCA Hamilton.

“While physical distancing is essential to protecting seniors from COVID-19, it could isolate them from their community. That is why the Government of Canada is proud to work with United Way Canada to support the needs of seniors during this difficult time. This funding will support the work of community groups that are already working with seniors to adapt to new COVID-19 related needs and ensure that vulnerable seniors are protected and cared for. As we work together to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus, the government is supporting Canadians every step of the way,” says the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, on behalf of Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte

Ongoing COVID-19 Emergency Funding Phases will focus on mental health support, capacity for community services, support for seniors, as well as basic needs. UWHH will announce Phase Three investments in the coming weeks.

“If anything is clear in these uncertain times, it is that we are in this together and we are all deeply connected. Using our existing local knowledge and capacity to manage and invest funds, we will ensure that the Federal Emergency Community Support Fund and funds raised through our ongoing COVID-19 Emergency Fund get to the local community services that need it most,” Parks says.