We have initiated the COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist communities all across the region. We have been rapidly connecting with agencies and communities to find out what needs there are and it became evident that there is more need than we can handle on our own. We also are hearing that people want to help but it’s a challenge due to the current need for social distancing. To respond to all of the needs being identified, we have opened a COVID-19 Relief Fund for Northern BC and donations to this fund could be made by clicking here.

As more and more people are appropriately self-isolating, many seniors who are able to live independently with the help of family and friends, are finding those supports unavailable. The Province, in collaboration with bc211, Better at Home, and United Way’s across the province, recognizes that community agencies and individuals are eager to mobilize to aid our seniors in the community whose vital support systems have been disrupted by COVID-19.

The Safe Seniors, Strong Communities program allows volunteers to be connected with seniors in their region who need help with grocery shopping, meal prep and prescription pick-up or receive friendly check-in call.

If you want to volunteer or are a senior who needs help simply call 2-1-1 or fill out the form at bc211.ca

The federal government has partnered with United Ways across Canada to help disperse funds to organizations whose primary focus is helping seniors. The $9 million in federal funds are being allocated by Statistics Canada population numbers – the number of seniors determined via census in each United Way’s individual geographic coverage areas.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) provides grants and contributions for projects that help improve the well-being of seniors and foster their social inclusion. To provide more support for seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada announced flexibility for organizations to use funding received through the NHSP community-based stream to provide immediate and essential services to seniors impacted by COVID-19.

UWNBC received just over $71,000 from the initial disbursement of funds. Through our advocacy, an additional $100,000 was secured by UWNBC bringing the total funding available for senior’s support to just over $171,000. Through our continued outreach and rapidly assessing the applications received, UWNBC has now disbursed the funding according to the guidelines set out by Employment and Social Development Canada.

The Government of Canada’s $350M Emergency Community Support Fund is a vital step forward in our country’s rapid response to COVID-19.
This funding will be collectively disbursed into charities and non-profits across the country through United Way Canada Centraide, Community Foundations of Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross. Local branches for these organizations will disburse applicable funding through their respective regions.

UWNBC will be receiving just over $708,000 to help the most vulnerable in Northern BC. The intake period for applications on this fund begins May 19th and funds will be allocated rapidly with all being invested no later than July 31, 2020.

For details on the guidelines on the ECSF, please click here.