National
COVID-19
response

Here you will find highlights of United Way Centraide efforts and contributions in responding to COVID-19 and helping the most vulnerable in communities across Canada.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic. During this time United Way Centraides and registered charities across Canada are responding to the crisis in new, innovative and collaborative ways to help the people who need it most.

Below, are examples of local United Way Centraide efforts to help the most vulnerable as communities across Canada respond to COVID-19.

Published June 1, 2020
THE ATLANTIC COMPASSION FUND: LOCAL LOVE DURING A GLOBAL CRISIS 

At the onset of the coronavirus COVID-19, 11 United Ways in Atlantic Canada launched the Atlantic Compassion Fund (ACF) with  Atlantic Business Interiors, The fund is designed to help agencies across Atlantic Canada respond to the immediate and emerging needs of their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Published May 30, 2020
UNITED WAY GREATER TORONTO NEWSLETTER

Now is the time to dig in. To invest in a strong social safety net that will sustain our community for months and years ahead. To remind ourselves that we must do whatever we can, despite our own challenging circumstances, to help those who are struggling the most. – Daniele Zanotti, President & CEO at United Way Greater Toronto.
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Published May 28, 2020
CENTRAIDE OF GREATER MONTREAL NEWSLETTER
This week was the launch of our Unstoppable Community Spirit campaign to honour our thousands of community workers and volunteers. This week, we also take a look at the different funds to support community agencies during the health crisis: COVID-19 Emergency Fund, Emergency Community Support Fund, Youth Project, and New Horizons for Seniors Program. We let you know what each one is for!
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Published May 26, 2020
UNITED WAY OXFORD: KEEPING CHILDREN FED IS A PRIORITY

In small communities, not all social service agencies have the capacity to fund, develop and implement new programs to help the vulnerable during COVID-19. United Way Oxford has been able to help and provide those resources through the newly developed Food for Families program.
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Published May 23, 2020
UNITED WAY GREATER TORONTO NEWSLETTER

“What gives you hope? It’s a question I regularly ask members of our community during our ongoing webinar series. Because with everything going on in the world these days, sometimes it can be hard to see the silver linings.” – Daniele Zanotti, President & CEO
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Published May 21, 2020
UNITED WAY EAST ONTARIO: THIS GLOBAL CRISIS IS FAR FROM OVER

The social challenges people face on a regular basis have not gone away because of COVID-19. In fact, in many cases, things have gotten much, much worse. Things are financially difficult for so many people right now. But, when we work together, we can use our resources creatively and effectively to address the most pressing needs. In this monthly newsletter, discover how, together with our supporters and partners, we’re continuing to keep our communities strong.
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Published May 19, 2020
CENTRAIDE OF GREATER MONTREAL: FUNDS AVAILABLE

The Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) is a $350-million investment from the Government of Canada allocated through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to help vulnerable populations manage the impacts of COVID-19.
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Published May 19, 2020
UNITED WAY GREATER TORONTO | PUTTING YOUR DOLLARS TO WORK

The COVID-19 pandemic shows just how vital United Way’s connected and co-ordinated network of 270 front-line community agencies is now—and will continue to be in the weeks and months to come. By partnering with grassroots organizations and local government to provide a lifeline to individuals and families, we are ensuring there are no gaps in essential services and that no emergency needs go unmet.
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Published May 16, 2020
EMERGENCY COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND

United Way Centraide Canada, through its local United Way Centraide members, is now accepting applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The ECSF is a new $350M investment by the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19.
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Published May 15, 2020
CENTRAIDE OF GREATER MONTREAL NEWSLETTER

This week, we take a look inside Centraide’s pandemicinitiatives. Discover how applications to the Emergency Fund are evaluated and read all about the crisis cells, which play a key role in coordinating responses on the ground.
We also give you details about the Youth Project, created jointly by the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation and Centraide of Greater Montreal, which you can now apply to for funding.
Finally, we get to know some generous companies that have supported their communities by donating a share of their profits to Centraide.
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Published May 14, 2020
UNITED WAY WINNIPEG: KEEPING FAMILIES FED

United Way Winnipeg (UWW) is facing multiple community issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. By funding Family Resource Centre (FRC) programs and services, joint efforts have pulled the community together to ensure vulnerable people have their basic needs met.
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Published May 9, 2020
UNITED WAY GREATER TORONTO | LOCAL LOVE IN ACTION

Our agencies are hard at work on the frontlines and their staff are often risking their own health and safety to support our most vulnerable. This edition highlights a few recent examples of how your support is allowing partner agencies to respond to community needs right now.
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Published May 6, 2020
SENIORS IN VULNERABLE SITUATIONS: GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED

In March, the Federal Government announced $9M in funding for seniors living in vulnerable situations that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include seniors living in isolation, or in low income and who, because of COVID-19, cannot access the social supports and programs they need and are accustomed to using.
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Published April 24, 2020
EVERYONE COMMITTED TO LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND

Four weeks after the launch of their Emergency Fund, United Way Greater Montreal invested nearly $3.7M to support exceptional measures set up by about 300 community agencies in the region. Community agencies in Greater Montreal have quickly reorganized to maintain or even intensify contact with their clients as well as with everyone made newly vulnerable by the crisis.
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Published April 21, 2020
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES $350M EMERGENCY COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND

“The COVID-19 crisis is having a real and significant impact on all Canadians. Today’s announcement will help ensure that if Canadians need the support of a community organization, it will be there for them.” – The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
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Published April, 2020
LET’S SUPPORT THE HOMELESS

In just a few days, many resources were forced to shut down or restrict their activities to comply with social distancing rules. The crisis upended many services, such as housing, food aid, supervised injection sites, and access to health care. Overwhelmed street outreach workers struggled to find alternatives to meet pressing needs. But we can see how, in just a few weeks, homelessness resources have mobilized to confront the crisis.
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Published April, 2020
FEEDING GREATER MONTREAL

The COVID-19 crisis has forced charitable organizations to suspend a lot of their services. The situation has put an even greater strain on vulnerable people who can no longer access the same support, while the number of people in need has increased due to confinement measures and job losses. Overall, 50% of calls to 211 relate to food. Food aid requests are exploding.
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Published April 18, 2020
UNITED WAY GREATER TORONTO NEWSLETTER

United way Greater Toronto’s weekly digest showcases how donors support is fuelling crucial, life-saving work in the community during the COVID-19 crisis. Check out their newsletter!
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Published April 15, 2020
COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE GIFTS

United Way Centraide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund has received overwhelming support from leading corporations, employers and labour organizations. Thanks to these generous gifts, local United Way Centraides across Canada are able to work with local community service agencies to help the most vulnerable.
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Published March 29, 2020
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES $9M FOR VULNERABLE SENIORS

United Way Centraide Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s $9M funding announcement from the New Horizons for Seniors Program. Canadian seniors are at great risk of poor health outcomes due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic. Vulnerable seniors, such as those living in social isolation or poverty, are at even greater risk.
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Published March 13, 2020
COVID-19 INFORMATION SOURCES FOR CANADIAN RESIDENTS

We are committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information to Canadian residents about responses to the novel coronavirus across the country. Read more to find useful links for local information.
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