Local charities, service groups get $265K in post-pandemic funds

Charities and service organizations in the Sault and Algoma specializing in health, addictions and social care are receiving more than $265,000 through a post-COVID federal funding program.

Announced today, the funding comes via the federal government's Community Services Recovery Fund, which is helping community service organizations that struggled with increased demand for their services, reduced revenues, declines in charitable giving and a greater reliance on digital tools during the pandemic.

Local organizations receiving funding include:

• SOYA (Saving Our Young Adults) From Drug Abuse receives $25,000
• Breton House (Algoma Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Centre) receives $29,680
• Algoma Family Services receives $39,670
• Algoma Residential Community Hospice receives $15,537
• Alzheimer Society Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District receives $10,080
• Grocer 4 Good Ability Development Organization receives $25,762
• John Howard Society of Sault Ste. Marie & District receives $34,160
• The Klub Community Centre receives $23,000
• Sault Ste. Marie YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie receives $63,000

"The Community Services Recovery Fund will allow SOYA to become an organization that is systematized in many areas," said Connie Raynor-Elliott, president of SOYA. "It will allow SOYA to create donor databases with fundraising capabilities, recruit and maintain records of volunteers, assist service users with various applications, teach service users computer skills and finally day to day activities of the organization.

"Also, it will allow SOYA to purchase the hardware necessary to implement all of the above mentioned programs. All of us at SOYA are greatly appreciative of these funds and look forward to completing the project and watching it all come to fruition."

“I’m very grateful for all the important work done by these organizations in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma," MP Terry Sheehan said in a news release announcing the funding. "Groups like these that fight addiction, help the sick, and work to keep families together are vital services in our community. I will continue to work with them in the year to come to ensure they can continue to do their important work.”

The fund was announced in the 2021 budget as a one-time, $400 million investment to help community service organizations adapt, modernize and build internal organizational capacity.

The Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada were selected to deliver the fund following a solicited call and open process for expressions of interest.

They will deliver funding to a broad and diverse range of community service organizations across Canada, including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies, according to the news release.

More information, including a list of funded projects, can be found at the National Funders’ Community Services Recovery Fund website.