Sensity and the people we support are benefiting from the federal government’s $350-million Emergency Community Support Fund program intended to help charities and non-profits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sensity was successful in several grant applications for equipment and technology to help our individuals better cope with the added isolation brought on by the pandemic. For the safety of the people we support and staff, Sensity suspended all activities and events in the community during COVID-19. It’s been more than four months and only now able to relax some rules.
For the Resource Centre in Paris, we received a grant for $3,729 to purchase a wheelchair accessible swing and several accessories. The accessories include different seats for the swing when the wheelchair platform is removed, ensuring as many people are possible are able to use and enjoy it. Riding a swing has therapeutic benefits as well as providing exercise.
A big thank to John Jr., who wrote a testimonial about how riding a swing makes him feel. His testimonial was part of our grant application to the Brant Community Foundation.
We were also successful in obtaining a $2,386 grant for a wheelchair swing for the Kingston Supported Independent Living Program from the County Foundation for Kingston and Area. We hope Hannah, Katie and Martha enjoy the swing, which will be located in the yard of their home.
Two grant applications were made on behalf of individuals in Family Home programs.
Halton Hills resident Brandon and Peterborough resident Darby each received funding for an iPad to help them stay connected with family, friends and peers while they’re isolating at home. Brandon’s grant for $1,550, through the Community Foundation of Halton North, also covers wireless ear phones and an iPencil to help him access the technology. Darby’s grant for $1,615 was through United Way Peterborough and District.
Unfortunately, not every application was successful. Sensity’s application to create online or virtual staff training during COVID-19 was turned down. It was disappointing but the Brant United Way said it received requests for nearly triple the funding it had to give out.
Another individual application for an iPad was denied, as was a similar application for wireless headphones and a Zoom account.
The opportunity to apply for the grants was communicated by Director of Services Sue Hall in late May. Although the Emergency Community Support Fund deadline was July 27, most funding organizations closed applications before the end of June after distributing their allocations. Applications were reviewed and approved on a rolling basis to get funds into the hands of the charities and non-profits as quickly as possible.
We are grateful for the support of the Government of Canada and the following organization:
Brant Community Foundation
Community Foundation for Kingston and Area
Community Foundation of Halton North.
United Way of Peterborough and Area.
Community Foundations of Canada.
United Way of Peterborough and Area held a Zoom media conference with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, on Thursday to announce details of its local funding. The organization distributed more than $366,000 to 35 non-profits and charities in the community.
