Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 103

Dear Colleagues, 

Truth and Reconciliation Week is Sept 26th to 30th. This is a time to reflect on hard truths but I challenge you and myself to reflect on how reconciliation can be a daily action.  

The Poverty Task Force and members have been working hard to build relations with Indigenous partners, communities and Nations. With the leadership of Giiwe, Indigenous-led Sharing Circles focus on housing & homelessness and youth issues.  

Diane Giroux has said that “the Giiwe process is so much more than reconciliation, it is a healing journey. The treaties signed between nations belong to all of us. We are on a healing journey for both sides. Colonialism is all of our past. We need to honour this. We need to honour the best side of all of us.”  

Reconciliation is alive and happening! Giiwe work is expanding its Sharing Circles and Cultural Mindfulness workshops. 

  • With an Agents of Change grant, Giiwe Sharing Circles are being organized with government councils, doctors and nurses, housing services, youth services from Sept to Dec 2022.  There are a few retreats being organized on Oct 9th and Dec 2nd at Silver Lake Camp/Sauble Beach. 
  • Giiwe is delivering Cultural Mindfulness with First Responders, City of Owen Sound Managers and other senior managers/leaders. 
  • Giiwe is also part of an international collaboration on A Shared Future and  the Gikinoo’amaagewin Wiigwaam project on Indigenous land stewardship. 
  • Reach out to Diane Giroux, giiwe.home@gmail.com, 519-271-1147, to connect on how to join the Giiwe in building relations and positive change in community. 
  • ‘Gidinawendimin – “We are all related’ shares the culture, language, music, dance, and stories from across the regions. Register today to view the live stream here.  

INCOME SUPPORT

Federal Affordability Inflation Measures: the government has announced new measures to address inflation to target low and modest income earners.  

  • Canada Dental Benefit: for children under 12 who do not have access to dental insurance. Low- and middle-income families with a combined income of under $90,000 can access up to $650 per year for the next two years for dental services. The next step will be to extend dental care to under 18s, seniors and people with disabilities by the end of 2023, before full implementation of the program by 2025.
  • GST Tax Credit: doubled for six months. Singles without children will get up to $234 more from the credit, couples with children will get up to $467 more and seniors can expect an average boost of $225 this year.
  • Canada Housing Benefit: a one-time increase to the Canada Housing Benefit, providing up to $500 to 1.8 million Canadian renters struggling with housing needs. The federal government said the benefit will be available to families with an adjusted net income below $35,000 — or to singles with incomes below $20,000 — who pay at least 30% of their income on rent. 

Challenges still exist for any additional dollars reaching people that have not filed their taxes, people without homes and those who are couch surfing. Income solutions are needed to address such as a guaranteed basic income and living wage but these must be accessible to everyone as well.

  • YMCA Webinar: Basics on Tax Benefits: Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 at 1:30pm – General Tax Awareness (30 mins):Join the CVITP and Benefits Outreach Officer with the CRA to ask questions and find out more on the basics of taxes. Register here.  
  • Ontario Photo, OHIP, Driver’s Licenses Cards and license plates: you can now sign up for free digital reminders by email, text, or phone call 60 and 30 days before it is time to renew. These are critical to access services and avoid fines for expired license and plates.
  • Retreated Workers’ Survey: the survey released by the Four County Labour Planning Board is still open until Sept 30th. The response has been good and is providing insights into barriers to employment, which age groups are not returning to the workforce and what retention & attraction strategies need to be used to meet the demand for employees.  Find the survey here. 

HOUSING SUPPORT

  • Home Takeover Project: has released its findings, recommendations and guidelines which can be found at this Grey Bruce Public Health link.
    • This project is focused on Rent Geared to Income/Grey County Housing in Owen Sound for the pilot since they initially raised the issue to be addressed. 
    • Community Partners Survey Results and Interviews with People with Lived Experience have been summarized and posted. Key resources including education posters, flyers, postcards and checklists are also posted. 
    • A Response Framework, Guidebook and Response Pathway for Organizations and Service Providers are being developed. For presentations and more information contact Lisa Alguire at Grey Bruce Health Unit (519-376-9420). 
  • The Long-term Landlord Housing Initiative is underway, and The Meeting Place is accepting applications until September 14th, 2022. Potential applicants can reach out to housing@tobermorymeetingplace.com, or download the Application Guide and Form at this website link. 
  • Wiarton Propeller Club has announced it is donating land for affordable housing in partnership with South Bruce Peninsula Municipality.  

NEWCOMER SUPPORT 

TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT

  • GTR route between Owen Sound and Sauble Beach was closed on Sept 5th. Regular Route 5 service will resume on Tuesday, September 6 between Owen Sound and Wiarton. Learn more at www.grey.ca/gtr
  • The Salvation Army Wiarton: is offering transportation support for medical or grocery rides. We mourn the loss of Kim Chegano who passed recently. She gave so much to the community. She will be very missed. Contact Roni Delleman at: 519-534-0353 x 100. 

FOOD SUPPORT

  • Grey Bruce Good Food Box has updated its schedule at its 20 pickup locations. Please note that several locations will start up only in October and others have changed pickup days and times. For a complete list of locations, order and pick ups times, check the 211 listing.  
  • The Ontario School Nutrition Programs (OSNP) Grey Bruce is welcoming volunteers back into schools but is still  facing challenges with the rising cost of food.  The OSNP provides funding and support to 61 schools in Grey and Bruce Counties. 
  • The Meaford Community Gardens is celebrating 12 years of gardening and reported they shared 300-400 lbs of food monthly this harvest. 

FUNDING SUPPORT 

Stay well, Jill 

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Vital Conversation on Housing – Dec 9th 4pm online

Dear Colleagues, 

Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of the housing crisis in Grey Bruce? Do you want to share your perspective on affordable and attainable housing in our area?

Your organization and the public are invited to join us for a Vital Conversation on Housing in Grey Bruce.  This free, online forum is on Thursday, Dec 9th, 2021 from 4-6pm.

The goal of this Vital Conversation is to give participants a deeper understanding of the housing crisis through learning and sharing new perspectives on the issue.

At the Vital Conversation, participants will hear “lightning talks” from four inspiring local guest speakers and will have the chance to participate in smaller group discussions on relevant topics. The guest presenters will be:

  • Diane Giroux: Project Manager for Giiwe at M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre
  • Kee May Ip: Project Coordinator for the Four County Labour Market Planning Board
  • Christine MacDonald: Director of Bruce County Human Services
  • Erica Phipps: Participatory Researcher for RentSafe Owen Sound/EquIP (Equity-focused Intersectoral Practice)

Biographies for each speaker and more information about the online event is available at https://community foundation grey bruce.com/post/?ID=245

Register at the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vital-conversation-on-housing-tickets-203909848847 

If interested, register soon as there is limited space for the event.

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 63

Dear Colleagues, 

The Poverty Task Force offers our deep condolences and stand in solidarity with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, with all residential school survivors, and with all of our Indigenous friends and neighbours who continue to face intergenerational trauma and oppression based on deeply rooted, systemic colonial legacies.

This legacy of life-threatening discrimination against Indigenous peoples is threaded throughout our history and continues today. The last residential school closed in 1996, and many of the survivors of the 139 schools that existed across Canada are alive today, still dealing with the trauma that was inflicted on them as children. 

Our colleague, Diane Giroux from M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre has written to community partners –  

“Our shared journey must consist of reconciliation as we strive to bring healing to all. Your engagement in Giiwe is one of these appreciated reconciliation gestures. 

At our May 21st Giiwe Sharing Circle, a draft list of recommendations that could be implemented within agencies and organizations was shared.  This document is still a work in progress as we consult with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Teachers, Healers and the community to bring it to completion. 

Please consider addressing one or two of these in the coming weeks. Each gesture is a contribution to healing and giving hope. There needs to be hope.” [email povertytaskforce@unitedwaybg.com for a copy of the recommendations]

Merci and Miigwetch to Diane for sharing her words of action and healing.  We cannot end poverty without addressing Indigenous-specific racism through meaningful learning, advocacy, and reconciliation. 

  • M’Wikwedong IFC is inviting the community to join them for a come-and-go ceremony and sacred fire for all the children found in Kamloops, BC on Friday, June 4th from 11am-2:30pm. 
  • For those who need support right now, or anytime in the future. Please call National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, 1-866-925-4419 

Today, the Core Working Group launched the National Action Plan on MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.  The plan has been co-developed with  the National Family and Survivors Circle and 8 sub-working groups. The plan will drive transformative change to end systemic racism and violence against First Nations, Inuit and Métis women/girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples.

  • The National Action Plan responds to the findings of and 231 Calls for Justice from the 2019 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the 62 Calls for Miskotahâ (Michif word for change) from the Métis Perspectives report.
  • Today also marks the  2nd anniversary of the release of the Final Report of the MMIW National Inquiry. 
  • The National Inquiry has determined that colonial structures and policies are persistent in Canada and constitute a root cause of the violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. 
  • The residential school system is part of the systemic violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. 
  • The report highlights that the thousands of truths shared before the National Inquiry reinforce the existence of acts of genocide against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people:
  • The federal government announced investments in excess of $18 billion in the 2021 budget over the next 5 years to improve the quality of life, advance reconciliation and create new opportunities for people living in Indigenous communities.

National Indigenous History Month is a time for all of us – Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomers – to reflect upon and learn the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strength of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people.   

National Pride Month Grey Bruce Pride has planned a wide range of activities this month. Go to their Facebook page for more details. Some activities include 

  • exploring 2SLGBTQQIAP+ terms each day
  • education material and self-discovery pieces shall be posted daily
  • car rally on June 27th 
  • identifying businesses as as pride safe spaces
  • collecting pride letters to support 2SLGBTQQIAP+ members who are struggling 

 INCOME SUPPORTS

  • Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund The Federal government launched a $291 million loan fund for Black entrepreneurs and business owners. The loans range from $25,000 to $250,000. This is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program.  

EDUCATION SUPPORTS

  • Remote learning will continue for the remainder of the school year, the Ontario Government announced. This will allow the province to continue its focus on accelerating COVID-19 vaccinations to support a safer summer and return to in-person learning in September for the 2021-22 school year.  
  • Sick Kids-led study (Feb 2021) found more than 70% of children aged 2 to 18 years expressed feeling lonely, overwhelmed, sleepless, worried, sad, irritable, anxious or stressed during the first wave, with isolation posing a significant risk factor. 
  • Education Minister Stephen Lecce has announced an $80 million fund for school boards to hire up to 1,000 additional mental health workers for the next two years. Over $31 million was announced for support to schools for 2021-2022. 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

  • Intersectional Action Fund is a federal grant that usually goes to organizations outside of the health sector to 
    • identify priority areas for collective action on social determinants of health (SDOH) and wellbeing
    • foster transformative partnerships to facilitate action on SDOH and wellbeing and build capacity to take action on SDOH and wellbeing. 
    • projects funded range from $25K-250K for 1 year. 
    • Application Deadline: July 12, 2021 at 3:00pm EDT. Funding starts no earlier than Fall 2021.

 Stay well, Jill 

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 62

Dear Colleagues, 

Temperatures have dropped and there is snow in Markdale! But there are still some warm messages of hope this week. 

  • Butterfly & Bee gardens are being planted around the region as part of the Butterfly Project. The Grey Bruce Community Garden Network Coordinator has even used canoes in Meaford in preparation for Pollinator’s Week.  
  • The Feeding Families, Restaurant Relief campaign continues to grow and provide meals daily that are being shared out across Grey Bruce. 
  • A new memorial monument and education plaque has been installed at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound. In Potter’s Field, at least 1,242 vulnerable people were laid to rest without any visible marker. 
  • These people include hundreds of newborns/stillborn/toddlers, orphans, seniors, the working poor, the homeless and hundreds of members of Owen Sound’s black community including those who escaped on the Underground Railroad and their descendants. May they rest in peace. 

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE SUPPORTS

HOUSING SUPPORTS

  • Giiwe and Indigenous Supportive Housing Support Program held a circle on May 21st. Partners joined together to learn from Elder Richard Assinewai who opened Giiwe with the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers or aadizookaan which reflects the Nibwaakaawin, “Good Way of Life” or native law. 
  • Giiwe has become a community and personal journey for partners. Grey County and Bruce County have supported it with funds to continue this journey.  Giiwe started with 12 partners and we now have over 100 partners at the table now. 
  • There is a Giiwe Model being built at Queen’s University. We are working with 3 different universities and soon to be a 4th. We have expanded to build bridges with Simcoe County and 2 First Nations. We were able to secure funding for the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program. This program has been critical under the pandemic response.

FOOD SECURITY SUPPORTS

  • Bruce Botanical Food Gardens has hired a new Gardens Manager Liz Miltonburg (gardenmanager@bbfg.org).  They are looking for volunteers to join their Board of Directors. If you are interested, submit a letter of interest to administrator@bbfg.org by June 17, 2021.
  • Correction – the Wiisinadaa/Let’s Eat Program correct email address is wiisinadaa@mwikwedong.com 
  • M’Wikwedong Wellness Garden Kits:  the Indigenous Health and Wellness Strategy Program (IHWS) is offering community garden box kits to enhance home gardens.  Register by calling or texting IHWS Program Coordinator, Tanya Coulter @ 519-372-7898. 
  • Feeding Families – Restaurant Relief: 30 restaurants made over 2,400 meals thanks to local donors who’ve contributed $36,000.  All of the food going to Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort is distributed to their clients and shared with other communities. .   
    • 100 meals went to YUM Program, South East Grey Meal (Markdale)  
    • 140 meals to CMHA to use across Grey Bruce
    • 140 meals to Salvation Army in Owen Sound
    • 50 meals to Port Elgin Salvation Army. 
    • 20 meals to Safe n’ Sound. 
    • 20 meals Chesley Baptist Church 
    • 20 meals to M’Wikwedong. 
  • Food security presentation to Southgate Council: Paul Wagenaar, UW Food Security Coordinator, Jill Umbach, Poverty Task Force and Barb Fedy spoke to Southgate Council about food security on May 5th. This was reported in the Toronto Star.  
  • They will present next to Chatsworth Council on June 2nd. 

ADDICTION SUPPORTS 

  • An OPIOID ALERT was released on May 23rd . Please share the alert.   
  • There have been 6 overdoses (non-fatal) in the past 3 days. This includes Owen Sound, Meaford and Kincardine, as well as Saugeen First Nation. There have also been 2 fatal overdoses in the past 2 weeks.   (Note: as of May 23rd).
  • Please alert any clients that use drugs of this high rate of overdoses. 

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

  • Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services: has created a new System Navigator position that will work with emergency departments when children show up while in the middle of a mental health crisis. There has been an increase in numbers of young people being seen in the 11 emergency rooms within our communities. The aim is to assign a child a clinician from Keystone within the first hour of them showing up for help in an ER
  • Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support (MAPS) is open for referrals from Probation and Parole at this time. Services offered: 
    • System navigation/facilitate the connection of support services.
    • Assist in the development of a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
    • Provide individual and group support.
    • Work with Probation and or Parole Officer to address the client’s needs upon referral.
    • Peer Support around mental health issues
    • Peer Support around substance use issues
    • Support connecting or engaging with basic needs.  
  • If you know of a peer that could benefit from this program, please direct them to speak to their Probation or Parole Officer. 

CHILD/YOUTH SUPPORTS

SAVE THE DATE: Next Poverty Task Force meeting is Friday, June 18th, 10am. 

Stay well, Jill