The Canadian Medical Association Foundation is committing $10 million to the needs of vulnerable populations affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic.
The money will be split among 73 municipalities across the country, including Charlottetown and Summerside.
The foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Canadian Medical Association. The announcement was made on Monday.
The money will go toward such items as creating dedicated spaces to support physical distancing measures, medical and support services for people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, community food programs, personal protective equipment for community support workers and other measures designed to build community resiliency and support sustainable recovery.
The money is going directly to the John Howard Society, which is the community entity for the federal government's community-based homelessness program called Reaching Home, which will distribute the funds to 14 different non-profit organizations on Prince Edward Island.
P.E.I. recipients, so far, in the Canadian Medical Association Foundation's efforts to help vulnerable populations during the pandemic:
- Salvation Army Outreach Centre, $49,920
- Salvation Army Charlottetown, $12,288
- Salvation Army Summerside, $15,000
- Chief Mary Bernard Shelter, $45,000
- CMHA Housing First, $47,000
- John Howard Society Outreach Services, $5,000
- Generation XX, $30,000
- Adventure Group, $10.409
- Gifts from the Heart, $5,000
- Summerside Boys and Girls Club, $15,000
- Rustico Food Bank, $5,000
- CMHA West Prince Housing, $15,000
- Wraparound Housing, $60,000
- South Shore Food Bank, $5,000
Reaching Home provides direct funding to designated communities, Indigenous and rural communities to address local needs and develop local solutions to homelessness. The society, along with a community advisory board, is responsible for requesting proposals, approving projects as well as contracting and monitoring agreements with service providers.
The federal government's COVID-19 response provides $216,094 to designated communities and $ 275,000 for rural and remote communities and the society is responsible for soliciting, contracting and managing with organizations providing services to individuals who are homelessness or at imminent risk.
Bruce MacDougall, president of the Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities, said it is a welcome donation.
“I can’t add much more to the (news) release other than to say we are pleased,’’ MacDougall said.
While there aren’t many specifics, the foundation is indicating that the aim is to help those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity and mental health and substance use challenges.
“The pandemic is increasing the pressure and risks already experienced by Canada’s most vulnerable people,’’ said Allison Seymour, president of the foundation.
