$123,000 in funding is going towards 12 northwestern Ontario organizations to help them address the urgent needs of seniors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United Way received funding from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program and matched it with additional support from the Thunder Bay COVID-19 Community Relief Fund.
You can see how the organizations will be using the money below:
Roots to Harvest – $20,000.00- Emergency Good Food Box for Seniors: Roots to Harvest and the Thunder Bay Good Food Box Program are creating Emergency Good Food Boxes that include healthy, non-perishable food and fresh produce to supplement senior’s diets on low income, reaching 100 households per week.
Alzheimer Society Thunder Bay- $1914.50- Caregiver Care Kits: Caregivers are currently under a tremendous level of stress as they face isolation and reduced community support. This program provides caregivers with kits to encourage relaxation, exercise, and healthy stress management during this crisis.
Ma’moweh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin Foundation- $20,000.00- COVID-19 Elders Meals on Wheels- The COVID-19 Elder Meals on Wheels Program services nine First Nation communities and provides all Elders in each community with one prepared meal Monday-Friday for four weeks.
Keewaytinook Okimakanak Tribal Council- $37,000.00- Remote First Nations Food Security Program: This program coordinates, plans and charters shipments of food and hygiene/household cleaning products to Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nation communities, with a targeted focus on delivery to homes with Elders.
Municipality of Nipigon- $3,000.00- COVID-19 Seniors Wellness Program: The COVID-19 Seniors Wellness program seeks to address the well-being of Seniors by providing care packages that contain nutritional food, treats, activities to reduce boredom, and resources to help minimize the feeling of isolation.
Alzheimer’s Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts- $2,000.00- Activity Kits: The program is developing Activity Kits to be dropped off at senior homes. The kits have a variety of activities that can be done by someone living with dementia and can be used at any time during the day or night to provide caregiver relief.
Manitouwadge Golden Age Centre- $690.00 -Senior Virtual Social Events: Providing the Manitouwadge Golden Age Centre the technological capacity to continue to hold virtual social events and check-ins with their membership.
Gathering of Rivers for Community Care- $9,400.00- Elder Support Services: This program assists in the outreach to community members in a culturally sensitive manner that seeks to speak to them in their first language (Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree). The program helps to purchase supplies online, by telephone, or thorough other means that are safe. Assistance with cell phone and telephone plans will be provided so individuals can call out to friends, families and care givers on a more regular basis.
Atikokan Pioneer Centre- $3,500.00- Telephone Check-In Services: This program provides check-in calls to 200 seniors to reduce social isolation, as well as a delivery service to meet basic needs.
City of Dryden- $3,000.00- Extended MyLift Programming for Seniors: The MyLift transportation program is expanding services and hours, eligible only to Dryden’s senior population, to help address issues around food security and transportation that Seniors are facing.
Lakehead Social Planning Council and Age-Friendly Thunder Bay – $15,000.00- 211 Older Adult Service Coordinator and Age Friendly Thunder Bay Newsletter: Lakehead Social Planning Council will hire an Older Adult Service Coordinator to assist 211 with connecting seniors to the right services. Age Friendly Thunder Bay will reach out to seniors through their newsletter to inform them about ongoing community initiatives.
Canadian Mental Health Association, Fort Frances Branch – $7,506.00: Increasing technological capacity to work with seniors and provide older adult populations access to technology that could assist with connectivity for rural Northwestern Ontario residents. CMHA, Fort Frances Branch is able to provide continued mental health services to seniors in Atikokan, Sioux Lookout, Dryden and Fort Frances, through virtual counselling, education and supportive sessions.
