United Way announces $405K in local funding

By Jensen, Randy on August 15, 2020.

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

The United Way has selected 20 organizations to receive funds from the Emergency Community Support Fund. The Government of Canada made $350M available for organizations providing programs and services for vulnerable Canadians in response to COVID-19.

The fund is being administered by United Way Centraides, Community Foundations of Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross in local communities across the country.

United Way’s interim executive director Vincent Varga said he is impressed by the variety of programs and services being made available across the region.

“We’re pleased to be able to play a role in addressing the COVID-19 related need in our community, ensuring that essentials like food access, mental health resources, tools for social inclusion, and so much more is being made available for the people in South Western Alberta,” Varga said in a news release.

United Way of Lethbridge & South Western Alberta received 31 applications for funding to operate programs and services to support vulnerable community members. As of today, 20 organizations have been approved for a total of $405,571, including:

– Alberta Cancer Foundation – COVID-19 Psychosocial Emergency Response ($38,279.30): Interim assistance for cancer patients who are in financial distress due to COVID-19;

– Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek – Holding Space Art Therapy for Kids ($5,987): Exploring and navigating emotions and possible traumas during and after COVID-19;

– Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge & District – Mentoring Programs ($25,000): Supporting vulnerable children through a relationship with a positive adult role model;

– Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills – BGCF Crowsnest Pass Club ($6,000): Providing club families with support for adequate food access normally provided to children through club programs;

– Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta – Virtual Recreation & Wellness Programs ($4,975): Ensuring the mental and physical well-being, and social inclusion of individuals with Cerebral Palsy through virtual programs;

– Chinook Sexual Assault Centre ($4,000): Providing support to victims of domestic violence safely, and ensuring that personal protective equipment is available for staff and clients;

– Family Centre Society of Southern Alberta – Interfaith Chinook Country Kitchen ($72,582.70): Addressing food insecurity through virtual cooking classes, nutrition education and provision of food hampers;

– Frontier College – Championing Literacy in Lethbridge ($10,000): Supporting children and youth to reduce learning loss due to COVID-19 through provision of learning packages.

– Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge – Special Dietary Bundles ($10,000): Supporting special dietary requirements of food bank clients, including cultural, medical or religious needs;

– Lethbridge College – Early Alert ($12,000): Educating faculty to recognize and support students experiencing loss of motivation or decline in mental health;

– Lethbridge College – Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada ($19,713): Supporting English language learners at risk of falling behind due to lack of technology or skills to attend online classes;

– Lethbridge Family Services – Human and Health Services ($25,000): Providing increased mental health services and other specific supports for individuals and families;

– SAIPA – SRSAN Resource Library ($2,000): Lending tablets to individuals with developmental disabilities to maintain access to disability resources and workshops;

– SASHA House – SASHA “House D” Pandemic Response ($28,964): Providing additional permanent supportive housing spaces that comply with social distancing and sanitizing requirements;

– South Region Parents as Teachers – Parent-Child Interaction Promotion ($7,750): Providing resources and materials to support children’s learning at home and during the transition back to school;

– Streets Alive Family Support Association – Meaningful Activity Project ($15,000): Providing daily activity to support people waiting to access detox, treatment or other addictions recovery programs;

– Taber Food Bank Society – Food Hampers & Pickshelf Items ($40,000): Improving food security for people and families in the Taber area;

– Lethbridge Detachment Victim Assistance Society – PT Victim Services Relief Staff ($8,370): Providing victims of crime and tragedy with emotional support, community referrals and guidance through court systems.

– Willow Creek Foundation – Physical Activity and Wellness (mini exercise bikes) ($4,950): Supporting the physical and mental health of senior residents at Pioneer Lodge and Colonel Macleod Manor; and

– YWCA of Lethbridge & District – COVID-19 Meal Supports ($65,000): Supporting food security and nutrition education for victims of domestic violence staying in the emergency shelter.

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