Emergency Funding Strengthens Social Safety Net for Community’s Most Vulnerable during Pandemic

Federal Emergency Community Support Fund, New Horizons for Seniors Program funding, and United Way Halton & Hamilton’s Local COVID-19 Emergency Fund provide crucial supports throughout COVID-19 crisis

Wednesday, August 19, 2020, Halton & Hamilton — On May 19, United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) launched a call for applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The fund provides financial support to charities and other qualified donees adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ECSF is funded by the Government of Canada and is being administered in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.

Today, UWHH is pleased to share an update on the recipients of this funding. UWHH has received over 97 applications (a total of $4,162,535 in requests) for community programs and services that support vulnerable community members. To date, 63 projects have been approved for a total of $2,507,254.
A full list of agencies and programs supported by the ECSF is available on the UWHH website.
UWHH is proud to support the important investment of $2.6M into our local communities.

“Charities and non-profit organizations are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, acting as lifelines for many vulnerable Canadians. The Government of Canada is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so they can continue their invaluable work,” says The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

During the pandemic, UWHH also worked in collaboration with the Government of Canada to invest $207,800, supporting 16 projects through the federally funded New Horizons for Seniors Program.

United Way Halton & Hamilton’s local COVID-19 Emergency Fund has raised $381,866, supporting nine projects thus far with $50,000. The team is grateful for the opportunity to steward the remaining funds in the most responsive manner with the support of community and local knowledge.

“We are grateful to the Government of Canada for investing in our community and we are honoured to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure these critical funds reach those who need it most,” says UWHH CEO, Brad Park.

“I also want to express my deepest gratitude for all who were able to support our COVID-19 Emergency Fund – individual donors, and our workplace and Labour Community partners. It has been remarkable to see our community pull together during a time of stress and uncertainty for each and every one of us,” Park says.

UWHH works closely with the Halton Region COVID Taskforce, Halton Granters Roundtable, and the Hamilton Granters Roundtable, carefully reviewing emergency funding applications, making decisions through a consultative process assessing community need and coordinated funding efforts.

Funding decisions are made in alignment with support themes: basic needs (including food, hygiene and personal protective equipment), impact in community (who/how many will the funds serve), geographic coverage (ensuring support for initiatives throughout Hamilton, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills and Oakville), and funding gaps (where other funding partners may/may not support the program).

In total, including Federal funding and local COVID-19 Emergency funding, UWHH has invested $2,765,104 supporting 88 community programs and services.

“We know recovery from the pandemic will take months, likely years, and the demand for social services continues to climb across Canada,” Park says. “We must pull together and build resilience and stability in our community. More people are now on the edge of crisis, and our annual fundraising campaign will be more critical than ever before.”

Funded in part by the Government of Canada.