Dear Colleagues,
Summer heat has exploded, and school will soon be out for the summer. We have pulled together some resources for individuals and families.
COOLING STATIONS
Heat Warning: Environment & Climate Change Canada has issued a heat warning for southern Ontario, including Grey-Bruce.
Cooling Stations are open in Grey County and Bruce County. Contact 211 for the latest listing in your community.
Grey Bruce Public Health has Extreme Heat resources on their website.
Safe N Sound: has created a list of needs for their center to keep people cool and prevent heat stroke. They are a designated cooling station. Other locations may also need similar items to help keep people cool.
FOOD SUPPORTS
Grey Bruce Good Food Box: locations will be running through the summer/year-round – Ayton, Chesley, Kincardine/Ripley/Tiverton, Lucknow, Markdale, Owen Sound, Port Elgin, and Sauble Beach. https://unitedwayofbrucegrey.com/good-food-box/
Family Assistance Market: OSHaRE is hosting a bi-weekly drop-in market for families. Food supports will be provided from OSHaRE, The Salvation Army OS and the Good Food Box to provide more than daily food, but large amounts for families to get through the week.
Summer Lunches for Children and Youth: there is a variety of summer lunches for children and youth in communities across Grey Bruce. A few but not all are listed on 211 but many are posted on Facebook and shared out in their local community. Please let 211 know about your summer food programs!
Grey Bruce Food Banks and Community Meal Programs: will be open throughout the summer and most are listed on 211.
Free Food Listing for Owen Sound: the United Way has compiled a list of free food services in Owen Sound on 211.
SUMMER ACTIVITY SUPPORTS
Bruce County – Child Activity Assistance Program (CAAP): is a fund available to assist families with the cost of activities. Includes funding for school trips, school nutrition programs, extra-curricular activities, arts and cultural programs, Scouts/Girl Guides, and many more. Bruce County families with a gross income of less than $49,466 can access this program for their dependent children under the age of 18, and receive up to $500 per child, per year. There is a fillable application form at https://www.brucecounty.on.ca/services/human-services/child-activity-assistance-program or call 1-800-265-3022 for more information.
Grey County – Social Initiatives Funding (Recreation Subsidy): is administered by the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce. It can be used for sports, art, music or drama programs, swimming lessons, camps, and fitness memberships. Activities do not have to be done with the YMCA. Families with incomes of less than $70,000 having children under the age of 18 living with them on a regular basis can apply. There is a scale for how much per child per calendar year the family can receive. See the link for more information and application: . You can also call the YMCA at 519-376-0484 ext. 227 or email socialinitiatives@osgb.ymca.ca.
Municipal Recreation Funds: some municipalities offer support. Call 211 or visit Bruce Grey Community Info to find out if your municipality has a fund.
JumpStart: Canadian Tire has individual child grants and special initiatives for girls. Online applications are here: https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/individual-child-grants
Grey Transit Route 5 offers summer service to Sauble Beach. The route runs several times daily between Owen Sound, Wiarton, and Sauble Beach – including long weekends! All GTR routes are FREE on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Find more info and book rides at https://www.grey.ca/grey-transit-route
Girls Empowerment Summer Camp: Women’s House is offering this camp for girls aged 11-16, August 19th-22nd, Durham. For more details and registration go to: https://www.facebook.com/WomensHouseBG
Stay cool, Jill