Dear Colleagues,
The Ontario government has recognized the work of non-profit organizations and volunteers to deliver vital services under COVID19 and the economic challenges of keeping services in place.
- The Ontario government announced a new one-time Resilient Communities Fund to invest in the recovery and rebuilding efforts of the non-profit sector impacted by COVID-19.
- The Ontario government is investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to provide grants to help eligible non-profit organizations, including food banks, child and youth programs and Royal Canadian Legion branches, recover from COVID-19 and continue the delivery of vital programming in their communities
Organizations can apply for one or more of the following, to:
- Equip board members and employees with supports to implement new approaches, prepare for change and build resiliency (e.g. organizational training and coaching, strategic planning and implementation, research & development; mental and physical health and wellbeing supports)
- Improve and increase ability to access financial resources and develop new and/or alternative sources of revenues (e.g. develop fundraising plans, identify fundraising and financial technology resources, seek opportunities for public-private partnerships and social finance)
- Adapt or re-imagine the delivery of programs and services to meet the needs of the community, employees and volunteers (e.g. identify new health and safety processes and required personal protective equipment; technology supports; staffing and volunteer recruitment and training).
- Procure equipment or renovate spaces to meet the changing needs of the organization; its programs and services, and adapt to new ways of working (e.g. equipment and/or renovations to meet changing technology health and safety, and service delivery requirements).
- Create and/or adopt new approaches for organizations to work together to meet the needs of communities (e.g. peer learning, professional development, networking, resource, knowledge and data sharing)
- Request amount: From $5,000 to $150,000 for up to 1 year.
- Application Deadlines*: September 2, 2020 at 5 pm ET. and December 2, 2020 at 5 pm.
HOUSING SUPPORTS
- Grey Bruce Community Legal Clinic: with the COVID19 eviction ban ending on August 4th, we anticipate that tenants will be seeking the services of various agencies in Grey Bruce. The Landlord-Tenant Board is open and taking new applicants but we encourage people to contact local agencies to support them with rental issues.
- The Grey Bruce Community Legal Clinic supports tenants to mediate disputes. However, Funding for Legal Aid has already been negatively impacted by Covid 19 and there is concern that services will be negatively impacted without additional support from the government.
- YMCA Housing: the YMCA also assists people who are having difficulties in their current housing through landlord mediation, and they provide landlord and tenant education, or coaching for those who simply need information to help them in their own housing search. Their website provides landlords resources and tenants resources.
- Community Housing Supports List has been updated.
- Ontario Non-Profit Housing Corporation has provided a useful analysis of Bill 184.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SUPPORTS
- On July 21st, Grey Bruce Public Health issued an overdose alert after receiving confirmation from county paramedic services of 6 opioid poisonings within 5 days across the Grey-Bruce region. There are now at least 9 cases reported recently for a total of 16 confirmed deaths in 2020.
- For more information about harm reduction practices and addiction services, visit the Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy website at www.drugstrategy.org.
- CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services is pleased to resume group services at Community Connections. Verify the re-opening weekly schedules on their website.
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS
- Community Income Supports List has been updated.
- Seniors Income Supports: If you are 65 or older and receive Old Age Security (OAS), you may be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS).
- Find our more at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement.html and at https://www.ontario.ca/page/guaranteed-annual-income-system-payments-seniors#section-3
- You must complete your taxes each year to reapply for GIS and GAINS. Call 211 for information about your closest free community volunteer income tax clinic.
- Library services in Bruce County and Grey County are re-opening branches to the public for regular in-person services.
- Bruce County: as of Monday, August 17th, all 17 branches of the Bruce County Public Library will be open to the public. For those who would prefer to not come inside the branches, their curbside pickup service will continue to be offered.
- Public computers will be available for patron use by appointment, and patrons are asked to wear a face covering and must maintain proper social distancing while visiting the branches.
- Programming will remain online. Digital materials and services are always available 24/7 at library.brucecounty.on.ca.
- Grey County: The Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library is set to reopen to the public on August 11th, with capacity and visit time limits in place.
- The library has been offering curbside pickup since June 16th.It will be open Tuesdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Wednesdays to Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. as the first stage of its reopening plan. Library capacity will be initially capped at 20 people at a time, not including staff, and each person can visit for up to 30 minutes per day,
- A limited number of public computers will be available for use with a computer pass, which will be available at the information desk. Public printing and photocopying will be available with staff assistance.
Stay well, Jill