September: Information Sharing Edition |
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In this edition:
- Connections Be Back Soon Program is Back!
- International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
- New Food Hub Opens in West Windsor
- United Way Campaign Kick-Off: Facebook Watch Party
- Workforce WindsorEssex Learning from Home Resources
- Cat Spay & Neuter Voucher Program Resumes in Tecumseh
- SEAT Program 2020
- Service Canada Webinars
- In the News
- Local COVID-19 Information & Resources
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Connections Be Back Soon Program is Back! |
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Be Back Soon provides free, short-term, unlicensed child care for parents who qualify at no cost while they attend medical, legal, social service or counseling appointments, job interviews or workshops.
Children 0 to 6 years old are cared for by Registered Early Childhood Educators and trained staff in a stimulating environment with enhanced safety protocols.
For more information or to register, please call the Centre at 519.252.9696.
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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty |
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The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is coming up soon on Saturday, October 17th!
The United Nations declared October 17th as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in 1992. The observance of this day can be traced back to 17 October 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected.
The theme for 2020 is "Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all."
Everyone can join the campaign on social media by using the hashtag #EndPoverty and promoting the call to action to connect with people from around the world who have joined the fight to overcome poverty.
For more information on the recognition of October 17th in Canada, visit the Chew On This! - Dignity for All webpage. Each year on this day, the annual Chew on This! campaign mobilizes people from across Canada to call for an end to poverty.
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New Food Hub Opens in West Windsor |
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The Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc. will host a drive- and walk-through food bank at Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex.
The food bank will be open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11 am to 2 pm at 1551 Wyandotte Street West.
As reported by the Windsor Star, the Windsor-Essex Food Bank Association is receiving $503,781 in emergency funds to help those in need. The funds will help to operate the food hub at the west-end recreation centre for the next 12 months — including through the winter.
The food hub is being strategically located in the city’s west-end neighbourhood, as it has been identified as one of the regions with the highest child-poverty rate in the country.
City outside staff and CUPE Locals 82 and 543 workers have been redeployed to the food hub to help with distribution.
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United Way Campaign Kick-Off: Facebook Watch Party |
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Normally at this time of year, we would be extending an invitation to you to join us for our annual campaign kickoff event. Unfortunately, this year is anything but normal. In light of COVID-19, our Campaign Kick Off will be different. This year we will be presenting a special Watch Party on Facebook.
While the Kick-Off may be different than in the past, our mission has never been stronger or more urgent. The pandemic has created even greater need for vital community supports and services. That all makes this year's Campaign especially important.
Please join us for a livestream of our Watch Party on Tuesday, October 6 beginning at 12 p.m. By viewing this special event on Facebook, you can help us raise awareness and provide urgently needed services and programs.
In fact, for every Facebook view, our official Campaign sponsor, UNIFOR Local 444 will generously donate $5 to this year's campaign. So, just by joining the Watch Party, you can help your community. It couldn't be easier - or more important.
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Workforce WindsorEssex Learning from Home Resources |
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They hope to aid parents and educators during this challenging time by ensuring that students can continue learning, from the comfort of home, with these helpful resources.
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Cat Spay & Neuter Voucher Program Resumes in Tecumseh |
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The Town of Tecumseh, in partnership with local veterinary hospitals/clinics, is pleased to resume the Cat Spay and Neuter Voucher Program starting September 18, 2020. This Program is available to residents of the Town of Tecumseh, only.
In an effort to reduce the number of feral cats in the Town, Vouchers (valued at $50 each) will be issued to sterilize cats.
A limited number of Vouchers are available. Vouchers for owned cats are reserved for low-income families. A declaration of income will be required.
Applications for the 2020 Spay and Neuter Voucher Program are to be
completed and submitted online via the Town’s website. Vouchers will be issued by appointment only.
Please note that Vouchers are issued on a first come, first serve basis and will expire on December 1, 2020. Walk ins to Town Hall for Vouchers will not be accepted. To make an appointment, please call 519-735-2184 Ext. 143.
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The SEAT Program seeks to empower young women to think of careers in STEAM and gives young women with interests in Science, Engineering, Artistry and Technology the opportunity to work together on a community-based project that will focus on creating positive change for our community.
Program Eligibility:
- 15 to 30 years old
- Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Refugee Status
- Demonstrate necessary skill, aptitudes and commitment to succeed in the program
Additional Supports Include (As Needed):
- Transportation Supports/Bus Tickets
- Food on-site during the training
- Materials for projects will be supplied
Download a copy of the flyer here.
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Service Canada is offering free webinars from October 6 to October 29, 2020 to provide information about federal government programs and services that could benefit your clients - including Indigenous peoples, seniors, persons with disabilities, families, youth, workers (including self-employed individuals), employers and newcomers.
Join from anywhere! The presentations are delivered via WebEx technology, with the audio portion provided via telephone. Choose to attend the webinars that are most relevant to you and your clients. The webinar schedule and topics are outlined below.
To register, please click the button below and e-mail your selection(s), you will receive joining instructions within two business days.
For additional information, please contact Service Canada here.
For general information about Service Canada, please visit Canada.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada.
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Improved Mental Health Supports Available for Kids at HDGH |
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Stress and fear over returning to school can lead to mental health challenges for school-age kids but help is available and quickly accessible, says a spokesperson for Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.
Sonja Grbevski, vice-president of mental health, said HDGH’s Regional Children’s Centre (RCC) underwent a reorganization in 2019 and COVID-19’s temporary pause of some services allowed for its fine-tuning.
The centre’s staff of mental health professionals offers a variety of programs and services designed to be flexible and meet the individual needs of each child and family. Clients choose to receive treatment by phone, virtually or in person.
Children and youth up to the age of 18, or a family member, can access Regional Children’s Centre services by calling the counselling clinic at 519-257-5437. The line is answered Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Read the full article by the Windsor Star.
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City of Windsor Approves Isolation and Recovery Centre |
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As reported by CBC News, the City of Windsor will support an Isolation and Recovery Centre in the city for agri-farm workers during the pandemic, but only if the province or federal government agrees, in writing, to fully fund the operation.
Medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed said nearly half of COVID-19 cases have been agri-farm workers, calling the isolation centre "critical" locally.
According to the city council report, eight hotels and motels in Windsor-Essex were used to house isolated workers at one point, and was later reduced to two sites.
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Ontario Launches New COVID-19 Screening Tool |
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The Ontario government launched a new voluntary interactive screening tool to assist parents, students and staff with the daily assessment of COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors that is required before attending school.
The results will let parents, students, and education staff know whether they should attend school each day or guide at-risk individuals to proper resources. This tool is another layer of prevention that the province is using to protect the health and safety of students, staff, and the communities where they live and work.
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Ontario Launches COVID-19 School and Licensed Child Care-specific Web Page |
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The Ontario government has launched a webpage to report COVID-19 cases in schools and child care centres.
This page will be updated every weekday with the most up-to-date COVID-19 information available, including a summary of cases in schools and licensed child care centres and agencies, if a COVID-19 case is confirmed at your school and where the numbers come from.
Please read the full statement from Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, in the Ontario Newsroom.
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Governments Extend Child Care Funding to Support Working Parents |
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The Ontario government announced an additional investment through the one-year Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (ELCC) of nearly $147 million to Ontario for 2020-21. This funding will help licensed child care providers and EarlyON child and family centres.
In 2020-21, ELCC funding supported measures to minimize the impacts of COVID-19. It will also continue to support initiatives outlined in the initial three-year agreement, including increased access for families and professional learning for staff. Funding provided through the ELCC is in addition to $234.6 million being provided through the Safe Restart Agreement to keep children and staff safe in child care and early years settings.
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Ontario Introduces Legislation to Freeze Residential Rent in 2021 |
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The Ontario government has introduced the Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act that would, if passed, freeze rent in 2021 for most rent-controlled and non-rent-controlled residential units.
The bill would provide the vast majority of Ontario's tenants with financial relief as the province continues down the path of renewal, growth and economic recovery.
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Ontario Extends Delivery Program for Seniors & People with Disabilities |
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The Ontario government is extending the Ontario Community Support Program until March 2021. This will ensure that low-income seniors and people with disabilities, many who are self isolating due to COVID-19, can continue to get meals and other essential supplies delivered to their homes in the upcoming winter months.
The program was launched in partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) in April. Since then, it has enabled more than 230,000 deliveries of meals and essential supplies across the province, helping seniors and people with disabilities as they stayed home to protect themselves from COVID-19.
To access the Ontario Community Support Program and request a service, visit www.ontariocommunitysupport.ca. Those without Internet access or who require service in a language other than English or French, can dial 211 or 1-877-330-3213 (toll free). TTY service is also available by calling 1-888-340-1001.
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Growing Up in a Lower-Income Family Can Have Lasting Effects |
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Statistics Canada is releasing an infographic based on the article "Exploration of the role of education in intergenerational income mobility in Canada: Evidence from the Longitudinal and International Study of Adults," published in the Canadian Public Policy journal.
Children growing up in lower-income families are less than half as likely to earn a university degree as those growing up in higher-income families, according to a new study and accompanying infographic that explore how parents' income, education level and other characteristics can shape the lives of their children when they become adults.
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Local COVID-19 Information & Resources |
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As of June 26, 2020, it became mandatory to wear a face mask or covering in commercial establishments in Windsor-Essex. Full details of the order by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit can be found here.
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The City of Windsor and other areas of Essex County have issued orders for mask use in indoor public spaces.
The Government of Canada has provided a web page outlining safe and proper use of masks during COVID-19. Resources are available for download in multiple languages.
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Drive thru Food Bank Locations in Windsor-Essex: |
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EAST WINDSOR
Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc.
6955 Cantelon Dr., Windsor, ON
P: 519-944-4900
DRIVE THRU/WALK-UP OPEN:
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
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WEST WINDSOR
St. Michael's Adult Secondary School
477 Detroit St., Windsor, ON
DRIVE THRU/WALK-UP OPEN:
Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
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BELLE RIVER
Community Support Centre of Essex County
Community Food Pantry
962 Old Tecumseh Rd., Puce, ON
P: 519-728-1435
DRIVE THRU OPEN: Monday & Wednesday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
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LEAMINGTON
Salvation Army Leamington
88 Setterington St., Leamington, ON
P: 519-326-0319
DRIVE THRU/WALK-UP OPEN:
Friday & Saturday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
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WEST WINDSOR
Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex
1551 Wyandotte St. W., Windsor, ON
DRIVE THRU/WALK-UP OPEN:
Tuesday & Thursday
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
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Municipal Social Investment Efforts
City of Windsor
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Stephen Lynn
519-255-5200 ext. 5302
p2p@citywindsor.ca
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Teresa Falsetta Aflak
519-255-5200 ext. 6809
p2p@citywindsor.ca
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