Despite businesses being shut down due to the pandemic community organizations still play a vital role for those needing help.
With the challenges posed by restrictions the Atlantic Compassion Fund was created by Tom Rose, President of Atlantic Business Interiors at the start of the pandemic. He put a challenge out to the community asking people to donate to the fund, he would donate the first $100,000 as well as match the first $100,000 in donations.
The fund is a partnership between Atlantic Business Interiors and the United Way of Halifax, and by extension includes the 11 Maritime United Way chapters in NS,NB,PEI and NL who share the money in the fund.
To date 10 programs in Lunenburg County have been helped through the fund at a total of $20,100 including Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, Harbour House, Freeman House, people facing homelessness, bus tickets for formally incarcerated inmates to return home, kidney dialysis patients and YCMA virtual facilitated meetings for youth.
Michael Graves, Coordinator for United Way of Lunenburg County, said they are now reaching out to community organizations asking that anyone experiencing difficulties due to COVID-19 apply for financial assistance through the Atlantic Compassion Fund. He said they have contact with approximately 40 different community groups but want to get the word out that they are here to help.
Criteria to apply is that the organization must be non-profit as recognized by the CRA because by law the United Way is not allowed to give financial assistance to individuals.
“So what we do is fund organizations helping individuals,” said Michael Graves, Coordinator for United Way of Lunenburg County.
In addition, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on March 29 that the federal government would invest $9 million in United ways across Canada in a Seniors Response Fund to help seniors who are vulnerable due to the pandemic. This will allow community organizations to both identify vulnerable seniors and move quickly to assist them in anything from making sure they have groceries and supplies to getting prescriptions filled.
“We all believe that a safe and supportive community is everyone’s responsibility-and that goes for staff, our board of directors, our volunteers and people who donate to us. That’s the bottom line for United way and if you want to live in a good community you have to make that happen,” said Graves.
To donate to the Atlantic Compassion Fund visit the United Way Halifax website at www.unitedwayhalifax.ca