Dear Colleagues, 

Deep social, health and economic inequities and high rates of poverty existed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Rather than this virus being any sort of equalizer, it is amplifying these inequities.

There is an unfortunate irony in the fact that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is providing more generous benefits than what many parents earn in a labour market characterized by precarity in its lower segments. Similarly, this emergency benefit is more generous than those received by many children of single parents who are reliant on provincial or territorial social assistance.

It is incredibly important that continued investments into poverty elimination efforts be part of our social, economic and health recovery.

  • Campaign 2000 has an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for investments that will protect children, families and individuals from poverty now and during the recovery phase.  And to take bold action to ensure that marginalized families who are outside the tax delivery system are able to access income security benefits.

COVID19 Impact on Charitable/Non-Profit Sector Survey

  • As the impact of COVID-19 is increasingly felt across the Grey Bruce Region, the demand for services provided through the charitable/not-for-profit sector grows. Community Foundation Grey Bruce is checking in with organizations to hear about how they are coping and how they see the period of recovery ahead. 
  • A survey is being sent out by Community Foundation GB and they are asking to complete it by May 8, 2020. Any questions can be directed to Stuart Reid, Executive Director at stuart.reid@cfgb.ca. 
  • Results will be posted on www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com under “News”. 

FOOD SUPPORTS 

INCOME SUPPORTS 

  • Bruce County Children’s Services is piloting the initial phase of its Emergency Childcare Program for hospital staff with the South Grey Bruce Health Centre.   Emergency childcare allows eligible health care and other front-line workers to have the childcare support they need to continue protecting the health and wellbeing of Bruce County residents during this COVID-19 outbreak. 
  • The Ontario government is providing a Temporary Pandemic Payof $4/hour worked on top of their regular wages. In addition, the government will be providing monthly lump sum payments of $250 for four months to eligible frontline workers who work over 100 hours per month. The pandemic pay will be effective for 16 weeks, from April 24, 2020 until August 13, 2020.       
  • Thanks to Seana Moorehead for sharing the latest Social Assistance Update Information Sheet (attached), 27 April 2020. 
  • Thanks to John Meakin at 211 for his continued support to reach out to community partners and keep us updated on services such as Free Income Tax Clinics. 
  • Community Income Tax Clinic: The Wiarton Salvation Army is now accepting drop off/pickup of tax information at their offices. A volunteer  picks it up and completes it. They will be doing this until further notice. 
  • The Harrison Park Senior Centre in Owen Sound has suspended their clinics. 

HOUSING SUPPORTS

  • The Welcome Centre is open at 854 2nd Ave East in Owen Sound on Monday’s and Friday’s, 9:00am to 11:30am. This is a partnership between CMHA Grey Bruce, Grey County, Safe n Sound and Public Health. This is a space where anyone can stop in and rest, get a cup of coffee, a snack and some education regarding social distancing and how to stay safe during the Covid-19 situation. 
  • There also support to access the testing site if someone is feeling unwell and also increased access to isolation spaces while awaiting test results. 
  • A new partnership with YMCA Housing, Habitat, OSHaRE, United Way funded by Grey County will see meals delivered to people housed in motels via YMCA Housing. 
  • COVID19 Guidance for Multi-Unit Dwellings

TRANSPORTATION SUPPORTS 

Stay well, Jill 

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