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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town has provided $50,000 in community support through two rounds of funding to groups delivering vital services and programming to our community’s most vulnerable populations.
Round 1 Fund Recipients
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Recipient
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Funding
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Program/Service Offer (for public)
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1
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The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge
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$4,000
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Funding will support the organization in purchasing supplies such as PPE, food for the meal program, hygiene supplies, etc., as well as additional staffing to provide support for EI (CERB) navigation, housing concerns, mental health/addiction, etc.
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2
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Victim Services of Durham Region
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$4,000
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Funding will expand the organization’s 24/7 on-call system, available to all agencies that cannot keep people over night and/or are not currently accepting new clients due to the pandemic, so that survivors of gender-based violence can access emergency housing and supports immediately.
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3
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Pickering-Ajax Caremongers
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$3,500
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Funding will support the group’s Community Relief Fund in response to the pandemic, which helps cover the costs of groceries and essential supplies for vulnerable members of the community including seniors, single parent families, quarantines families, individuals with disabilities, and individuals who may not qualify for CERB but are nonetheless struggling.
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4
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Homebound Wellness Centre Inc.
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$3,000
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Funding will support the organization in providing a hot meal service delivered to seniors, along with craft and recreational supplies to keep seniors engaged and stimulated within their homes (i.e. crosswords, puzzles, adult colouring books, paint & canvas, etc.)
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5
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Christian Faith Outreach Centre
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$3,000
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Funding will support the increased hours of the organization’s warming centre as well as their food outreach program, which provides food and essential supplies for individuals and families in need.
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6
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St. Francis de Sales Church/St. Vincent de Paul Societe
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$3,000
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Funding will support the organization’s Neighbours in Need (NIN) program providing groceries for individuals and families in need, as well as purchasing and delivering groceries for those who are not able to shop for themselves.
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7
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AIDS Committee of Durham Region
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$2,500
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Funding will support the organization in providing immunocompromised individuals and families living with HIV, AIDS and other coinfections, who are at higher exposure risks, with food (fresher protein & produce), hygiene supplies, vitamins and meal replacements, and other essential supplies, delivered directly to them.
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8
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Humane Society of Durham Region
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$2,000
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Funding will support the organization’s Community Pet Food Bank supplying pet food to families in need, as well as the Pet Safe Program which places the pets of women fleeing domestic violence in foster care.
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Total
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$25,000
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Round 2 Fund Recipients
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Recipient
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Funding
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Program/Service Offer (for public)
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1
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Carea Community Health Centre
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$2,500
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Funding will support the organization in providing individuals and families in need with food hampers, personal care items and gifts over the holiday season. This project will also focus on the often under donated demographic of youth/teenagers by giving to local youth shelters.
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2
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Community Justice Alternatives of Durham
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$500
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Funding will support the organization in purchasing food, gift cards and restaurant vouchers to distribute to marginalized youth over the holiday season.
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3
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Durham Youth Services
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$2,500
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Funding will support the organization in purchasing Fresh Start Kits. The kits assist youth transitioning to independent living by providing basic living essentials such as bedding, cleaning and laundry supplies, toiletries, and kitchen supplies.
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4
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Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham
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$4,000
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Funding will support the organization’s Holiday Food Hamper program, providing food vouchers and gift cards to vulnerable families and seniors.
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5
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Art with a Heart Inc.
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$4,500
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Funding will support the organization in assembling and delivering holiday art activity boxes to vulnerable and isolated populations, including seniors and youth in shelters. Each box includes art project supplies, instructions, colouring and activity books, mindfulness sheets, personal items and comfort-based winter clothing articles.
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6
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Girl’s Inc. of Durham
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$5,000
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Funding will support the organization’s Food for Thought program providing holiday food hampers to young pregnant teens, as well as women and their families. The hampers include food, vitamins, as well as gifts for small children.
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7
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St. Bernadette Catholic Church Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
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$2,000
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Funding will support the organization’s Neighbours in Need (NIN) program providing gift cards to individuals and families in need, allowing them to purchase groceries and small gifts for their children over the holiday season.
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8
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Community Living – Ajax Picking and Whitby
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$4,000
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Funding will support the organization’s Holiday Hamper Project providing free, healthy, pre-cooked holiday meals and snacks to individuals in the Supported Independent Living (SIL) Program.
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Total
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$25,000
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| The Town is making its grants specialist available to Ajax charities, not-for-profits, and cultural and sport organizations requiring guidance and/or support developing proposals or applications for COVID-19 funding.
To access this service, the groups must be located in Ajax and serve our community. While this does not include writing or submitting applications, the Town’s grant specialist will provide overall guidance and support with navigating the application process, best practices and feedback on strengthening an application or proposal, and providing advocacy tips and the Town’s support wherever possible.
The Grants and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator can be reached at kassandra.cruciano@ajax.ca or 905-619-2529, ext. 3327.
This page will be updated with the most up-to-date information on eligibility criteria and application processes for each of the funding programs offered.
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Community members concerned about their health are asked to use the Ontario COVID-19 self-assessment tool to determine if they need to seek care.
Recommendations from Durham Health
To reduce the spread of germs, including COVID-19, the Durham Region Health Department recommends that residents:
- Maintain social distancing (2 metres) and avoid large gatherings.
- Wash hands often with soap and water and/or hand sanitizer.
- Cough or sneeze into their sleeve or elbow and encourage others to do the same.
- Avoid touching their face; and clean hands before touching eyes, nose or mouth.
- If you are ill, stay at home and keep yourself away from others.
- If you are ill and must visit a health-care provider, call ahead or tell them right away when you arrive that you have a respiratory illness and wear a mask while waiting to be seen.
The Region of Durham Health Department advises that if you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, and have recently returned from travel outside of Canada, please contact your health care provider and Durham Region Health Department at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729
A full list of recommendations is available at durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus.
Websites
Phone Numbers
Durham Region Health Department at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729
Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
Government of Canada COVID-19 Information Services at 1-833-784-4397
Durham Region Care Mongers
Toll Free: 1-888-573-0982
A local volunteer support group to get supplies to those unable to get out due to self-quarantine, compromised immune systems, age 65+ or otherwise at risk. View attachments below for more information.
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In partnership with the Region of Durham, the Town is providing services for unsheltered residents at two Ajax Hygiene Hub locations.
Ajax Community Centre
75 Centennial Rd.
Mondays and Tuesdays
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lunch provided at 12 p.m.
McLean Community Centre
95 Magill Dr.
Fridays
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Breakfast provided at 10 a.m.
Linked to a network of supports for vulnerable community members across the Durham Region, the hub provides:
- Shower and washroom access
- VHA Home Healthcare on site for information, referrals and supports to unsheltered residents
- Meals
All individuals accessing the hub will be actively screened for potential COVID-19 risk factors, and must follow Region of Durham Health Department protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Local outreach support agencies, shelters and overnight warming centres in Durham Region are open. For more information, visit durham.ca/EmergencyShelters.
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