Despite unprecedented challenges and overwhelming need, charities that serve Dufferin County found new ways to collaborate, share resources, and create partnerships. We are humbled by their ability to provide solutions in the midst of overwhelming need. We congratulate these charities on their successful Emergency Community Support Fund grant, provided by the federal government and in partnership with Community Foundations of Canada.
In 2020 Dufferin Community Foundation dispersed grants to the following charities based on their need.
Round 1 of the Emergency Community Support Fund
Charity |
Need |
Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Youthdale Riding Program | Therapeutic connection between horses and at-risk youth during stressful time and stringent physical distancing rules | Innovative virtual program for interaction and training |
| Hospice Dufferin | Palliative care support for caregivers and families. Support for young people losing loved ones during physical distancing | Information kits delivered to homes |
| Alzheimer Society of Dufferin County | Social connections and recreational supports for those with dementia and their caregivers | Increased behavioural supports through more phone and virtual contact |
| Community Living Dufferin | Completely new approach to services, engagement and interaction | Emergency Centre equipment |
| Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario | Increased support for caregivers and those with specific disabilities | Personalized equipment and virtual programs |
| Orangeville Food Bank | Installation in larger facility to ensure physical distancing and different service delivery models | HVAC system and PPE to ensure client and worker safety. Back-up Power Generator to ensure continuity of this essential |
| Easter Seals Ontario | Physical changes and protocols to cope with less hands-on help for disabled children and adults. Continuity of a popular summer activity for disabled children | Support services and equipment |
| Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington (Orangeville Food Bank and Dufferin Food Share Program) | With schools closed, the traditional methods of ensuring daily nutrition for children in Dufferin had to be rethought. | A multi-county multi-agency partnership created a new delivery model – Fresh Food for Kids – to get healthy food to children, while keeping volunteers and workers safe. |
| B Social Community Living Dufferin (Dufferin Child and Family Services and Family Transition Place) | Ensuring that 19 vulnerable young people with jobs in four local cafeterias got back to work as soon as possible. | Equipment upgrades for the B Social concession stands to be COVID-19 compliant |
| Scientists in School | Deficit in STEM teaching resources during home instruction | Development and delivery of virtual STEM workshops to vulnerable children |
| St. Mark’s Anglican Church | Ensuring spiritual and congregational inclusion during stressful times | Technology and support resources to continue delivering to vulnerable seniors and those suffering from isolation |
| Family Transition Place | Ensuring shelter and support for vulnerable families while meeting physical distancing requirements | Shelter bathroom extension to address capacity in communal living spaces |
Round 2 of the Emergency Community Support Fund
Charity |
Need |
Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Mental Health Association | People living in rural and remote areas who struggle with mental illness, addiction and living in poverty lack access to mental health services | Monthly phone plans to connect with mental health counsellor and participate in support groups virtually |
| Community Living Dufferin | Ensuring people with an intellectual disability have access to friends and family while fostering independence | Purchase of technology allows support for individuals and their families to enable communication. |
| Pine River Institute | Critical gap in services for youth and families struggling with mental health issues and addictive behaviours | Adding staff for classroom support relieves other front-line staff and creates greater capacity for Pine River to help youth in need. |
| Rotary Club of Shelburne | Increased demand for the Shelburne Christmas Hamper Assistance Program | Collaborate with the Shepherd’s Cupboard food bank, other local service clubs and businesses to expand the program |
| Theatre Orangeville – Creative Partners on Stage | Cancellation of the C.P.O.S program and subsequent lockdown profoundly hinders those with developmental disabilities | Re-instate this program with the necessary precautions, procedures and physical distancing protocols. |
| Choices Youth Shelter | Unsafe environment (flooded basement) to house homeless youth and provide a safe environment | Physical renovations to address health and safety issues with hopes of expanding access for up to 6 additional youth. |
| Dufferin Parent Support Network | Increased demand from parents who are coping with heightened challenges due to isolation, online schools and concerns about health. | Online workshops provide additional community outreach and engagement to foster positive family connections. |
| Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington in collaboration with the Orangeville Food Bank | With school-based nutrition programs cancelled, food security is threatened and those living in poverty lack access to healthy food. | Partnership with Orangeville Food Bank provides packing site and volunteers deliver healthy snack kits directly to families in need. |
