The City of Guelph distributed $178,700 to 18 organizations, unincorporated groups and individuals in an effort to support local economic recovery.
The funding is through the second phase of this year’s Emergency Fund.
“We again received a number of great applications for this phase,” says Danna Evans, general manager of culture and recreation.
“We’re glad to help businesses, organizations and individuals who continue to support people in our community throughout this extended pandemic situation.”
The 2021 Emergency Fund recipients are:
Brain Injury Association Waterloo-Wellington - $10,000
Funding will allow the organization, along with other agencies to adapt programs to support victims of violence.
Child Witness Centre: $2,500
Funding will support rental costs associated with the extension of remote witness testimonies.
Community of Hearts Lifelong Learning Centre: $12,000
Funding will allow for small group and one-on-one programs, both in-person and virtual, to help clients develop skills and remain engaged in their community.
Guelph Chamber Choir: $15,200
Funding will be used for the expansion of accessible programming, hiring of a digital marketing specialist and designing and producing pop-up banners.
Guelph Community Singers: $5,000
Funding will allow for online sessions and the release of recorded video at future events or via social media.
Guelph Dance: $20,000
Funding will allow for a video series presenting 10 short dance films highlighting new creations by local artists.
Guelph Film Festival: $7,000
Funding will be used to support online access to films and potential in-person screenings.
Guelph Rugby Football Club: $3,500
Funding will be used to subsidize membership fees for youth members and offset the cost of storing extra COVID-19 equipment.
Guelph Spoken Word:$15,000
Funding will be used to maintain and adapt events to include programming designed to help the community connect, heal and grow during the pandemic.
Guelph Symphony Orchestra: $8,000
Funding will be used to convert the youth and community outreach programs into a hybrid of engaging and interactive online activities and short socially-distanced, outdoor concerts.
Guelph Wellington Seniors Association: $20,000
Funding will allow the Seniors Community Food Market to offer 54 “farmers market” style markets at six subsidized housing locations across the city.
Guelph and District Multicultural Festival Inc.: $8,500
Funding will allow for virtual pre-recorded and live performances showcasing various cultural performers, musical bands, vendors, and community organizations.
HOPE House: $5,000
Funding will allow for the expansion of the weekly meal program to four times a week.
Start2Finish Canada:$18,000
Funding will support the Running & Reading Club+, addressing the urgent COVID-related need for mental health, physical activity, learning and mentoring and support for marginalized children in Guelph.
The Consciousness Project: $4,000
Funding will go toward an outdoor program that combines the act of walking, positive affirmations and meditation.
The Groves Hubs: $10,000
Funding will support the need to provide drop-in mental health support at the Guelph location of the YMCA of Three Rivers.
The Guelph Humane Society: $5,000
Funding will support families experiencing crisis with pet boarding support and subsidized services for the financially marginalized.
eMERGE Guelph: $10,000
Funding will support digital content comparing individual carbon footprints to motivate action using emission calculators, photos and videos.
Emergency Fund applications are evaluated by the city’s social and community response table which includes staff from four departments. The table compares each applicants’ work with the goals of the Emergency Fund, level of support from the community, capacity to do the work and financial need. It then provides funding recommendations to the deputy chief administrative officer for Public Services for final decision and approval.
Applications for phase 3 of this year’s Emergency Fund will open on Oct. 8 with up to $485,000 available for qualifying applicants.
