Local United Way grants $817,000 to community programs through Emergency Community Support Fund
On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington put out a call for applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The fund provides financial support to charities adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the Government of Canada, the ECSF is is being administered in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.
On Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2020, United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) released an update on the recipients of this funding. The United Way KFL&A received over $1.3 million in requests from community programs and services that support vulnerable community members. A panel of experienced local volunteers reviewed all the applications. To date, 42 programs have been approved for a total of $817,295.
A full list of the agencies and programs receiving funds can be found at the end of this article and at www.unitedwaykfla.ca/grants/
“United Way KFL&A is proud to facilitate this important investment into our local communities. Agencies in our community have risen to the challenge of adapting to COVID-19 in innovative, collaborative, and compassionate ways,” said Bhavana Varma, President and CEO, United Way KFL&A in a statement. “This fund will allow local organizations to continue their vital work and expand their programming where needed. United Way is grateful for this much-needed support through the federal government during this global crisis.”
Emergency Community Support Fund Grants
| Agency | Program/Description |
| AllSteps Child Care | Training and PPE to allow daycare to open safely |
| Alzheimer Society Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington | Virtual programming for people living with dementia -socialization and stimulation virtually and support for caregivers |
| Addiction and Mental Health Services (AMHS) KFLA | Street Outreach RN – provides service to homeless with medical needs |
| Bereaved Families of Ontario – Kingston | Electronic tablets to help serve clients during pandemic |
| Boys and Girls Club, Loving Spoonful, Youth Diversion | PPEs, cleaning staff to support the safe re-opening of the Robert Meek Centre with a number of agencies |
| Canadian Families and Corrections Network (CFCN) | Covid-19 Response Project — outreach and support to children and families affected by incarceration |
| Canadian Hearing Services | Mental Health Counselling – “Connect” – virtual counselling for clients and mental health support |
| Centre for Abuse and Trauma Therapy | Covid Crisis Counselling for individuals with heightened mental health issues due to pandemic. |
| Community Church of The Salvation Army (Napanee) | Community and Family Services & Food Bank — expanded food hamper and delivery program |
| Dawn House Services and Housing for Women | Food Security — Meal program for women living in transitional and supportive housing |
| Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington | PPE kits for individual and families |
| Girls Inc. | Curbside visits and virtual check ins |
| H’art Centre of Smiles | Solos from Home — arts-based workshops which participants can complete while at home |
| HIV/AIDS Regional Services | Healthy meal and basic needs program providing to-go meals |
| Independent Living Centre Kingston | Independent Living Support Services – connecting people with supports for food, home care, counseling services |
| Islamic Society of Kingston (ISK) | Halal meal delivery program – delivering meals daily to newcomers, refugee families, international students |
| Kidney Foundation | Grocery store gift cards for dialysis patients with lower incomes |
| Kingston Community Health Centres | Seniors’ Food Box — continuation of new free Seniors’ Food Box initiative for vulnerable and low-income seniors |
| Kingston Community Health Centres | ACEs and Trauma informed care through virtual sessions to help individuals struggling with emotional and financial effects of the pandemic |
| Kingston Community Health Centres | Virtual Youth Hub of Lennox and Addington — allowing marginalized youth and their families to connect with a Youth Outreach Worker |
| Kingston Community Health Centres | COVID-19 – Good Food Boxes — free or low cost food boxes |
| Kingston Community Health Centres | Kingston Immigration Partnership (Racial discrimination) – technical support for discussions |
| Kingston Community Health Centres | Kingston Immigration Partnership (Translation of COVID materials) — printed materials, audio recordings and workshops to provide correct information |
| Kingston Community Health Centres – Immigrant Services Kingston & Area | Increased support for newcomer volunteers allowing newcomers to maintain social connections |
| Kingston Employment and Youth Services Inc | Employment, Training, Settle — services for vulnerable youth in Kingston between 16-24yrs |
| Kingston Interval House | Robin’s Hope COVID-19 Relief — gift cards and supplies to women & children in second stage housing |
| Kingston Youth Shelter Project Incorporated | Employee wages and essential services – cleaning during pandemic and transportation services for youth |
| L&A Seniors Outreach Services | Seniors Without Walls – virtual, multi-person phone conversations and supports for seniors |
| Lion Hearts Inc | Odessa Community Garden – charity garden to provide essential produce to emergency food providers |
| Maltby Centre | Supports for those experiencing new or increased mental health and/or trauma related issues due to pandemic |
| Martha’s Table Community Program | Extended meal service during Covid-19 pandemic |
| Morningstar Mission Relief Inc | Prepared meal distribution, increase to more days and meals a week |
| New Leaf Link | Tech support for programs serving adults with developmental disabilities in rural areas |
| Outreach St. George’s Kingston | Lunch By George COVID-19 Food Program – increased staffing for meal services and cleaning services |
| Resolve Counselling of Canada | Building Resilience with Trauma Survivors during Covid – virtual psychoeducational services to people who have experienced childhood abuse and are living with mental health issues. |
| Rural Frontenac Community Services | We Care – activity kits for children in rural Frontenac |
| Seniors Association Kingston Region | Seniors Centre Without Walls (SCWW) – Low barrier technology program to help seniors facing mental health and isolation |
| Sexual Assault Centre Kingston | Expansion of online services and transition of recruitment and training of volunteers |
| St. Lawrence Youth Association | Community Services – providing clients with cell phones and data plans to use for video calling, access to counselling, therapy and other services |
| Telephone Aid Line Kingston (TALK) | Telephone Aid Line Kingston Covid-19 Service Delivery Project — provides listening and emotional support to callers |
| The Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada | The Salvation Army Kingston Community and Family Services – expansion of food pantry program |
“Canadian charities and not for profits are always there to help you, in your time of need. But the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations,” said The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada will be there for them so they can continue to be there for Canadians.”