Pandemic Response Fund

ECSF GRANTEES

In addition to our Pandemic Response Fund, Hamilton Community Foundation participates in the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) along with the United Way of Halton & Hamilton. Funded by the Government of Canada, the ECSF is a $350 million fund  implemented by Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada.

Grants from the ECSF assist vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the first round of ECSF, the Foundation distributed an additional $1.18 million towards ensuring the most vulnerable Hamiltonians are safe and healthy. In the second round, an additional $457,000 was made available through HCF.

The following Hamilton organizations received grants from the Emergency Community Support Fund through Hamilton Community Foundation:

Round 1

Round 2

Round 1

A RochaSupports online education sessions and virtual hikes for persons with disabilities providing a connection to the natural world. $20,000
ACORN Institute CanadaSupports to provide Hamiltonians with knowledge and tools about their rights and responsibilities as tenants.$30,000
Afro Canadian Caribbean AssociationSupports Black Community Response to Covid Coalition to provide assistance to isolated seniors and the most vulnerable in relation to food security, housing, and social inclusion.$71,640
Bereaved Families of Ontario South Central Region Supports a weekly grief support program for children and their caregivers including children's grief support activities, art therapy tools, along with providing virtual grief support sessions.$20,000
Body BraveSupports urgent online multi-disciplinary community care and public education, including group treatment programs, individual psychotherapy and community outreach, for women facing life-threatening mental illness.$45,250
Cancer Assistance ProgramSupport Drive and Ride program which provides patients with free & safe transportation to cancer-related appointments.$30,000
Canadian National Institute for the BlindSupports CNIB virtual programs that reduce social isolation including tech training, career support and low-impact physical activity.$5,000
Catholic Children's Aid Society of HamiltonSupports financial stabilization for families in kin-service arrangements.$63,000
Childhood Cancer CanadaSupports the COVID-19 Emergency Fund which provides financial and food security support to families who have a child or adolescent in active cancer treatment and to young adults in active cancer treatment.$5,000
City Kidz MinistrySupports programs that provide basic needs for families.$10,000
Dr. Bob Kemp HospiceSupports hiring of clinical bereavement therapist to reduce isolation, reduce caregiver burden and to support the bereaved through virtual platforms.$50,000
Eagle's Nest Association of WaterdownFunding for counselling, coaching, and support groups for women who are struggling with mental health concerns, unhealthy relationships, and abuse.$10,000
Easter Seals OntarioSupports an online camp experience to 64 children and youth with physical disabilities to mitigate lost opportunities due to COVID-19 $5,600
Elizabeth Fry SocietySupport re-opening of space for programming that cannot be done remotely.$25,000
Empowerment SquaredSupports Mental Health Connect which offers services and language supports for newcomers.$60,000
Flamborough ConnectsSupports the Connecting to Community project which expands technology and remote access and support.$11,820
Food for LifeSupports purchase of refrigerated van for food delivery to people living in poverty.$65,000
Good ShepherdSupports provision of grocery gift cards, bus tickets and virtual access to health care for vulnerable students.$2,000
Hamilton & District Extend-a-FamilySupports the Volunteer Buddy Program which provides ongoing socialization for children with special needs including virtual activities.$16,606
Hamilton Centre for Civic InclusionSupports black youth in Hamilton with educational materials.$48,000
Hamilton Downtown MosqueSupports provision and delivery of food kits for families. $33,750
Helping HandsSupports establishment of a safe and healthy space for accessing email/internet and online resources while libraries remain closed.$5,000
Indwell Community HomesSupports sanitation and food costs, technology and IT services.$50,000
Jennifer Ashleigh Children's CharitySupports financial assistance to families with sick children.$5,000
Jewish Social Services of HamiltonSupports community garden as a safe community engagement opportunity.$15,000
The Kidney FoundationFinancial support for low income patients suffering from kidney disease to purchase groceries, medical supplies and pay for transportation to their appointments.$5,000
The King's Way Outreach CentreSupports purchase of a van to deliver food donations to support vulnerable families.$45,000
Let’s Talk ScienceSupports distribution of learning packs to vulnerable youth in Grades 4-6.$26,628
Liberty for YouthSupports Liberty For Youth Mentoring Program online transition including tutoring services, online education, online counselling services, virtual program content, virtual mentorship session and online co-op and volunteer opportunities.$50,000
Life Line WorshipSupports provision of basic needs including counselling, food baskets, and clothing for vulnerable residents. $15,000
Lift ChurchSupports Grocery Support Program which provides and delivers groceries to the international student community in Hamilton.$30,000
Macassa Lodge/City of HamiltonSupports staffing for pandemic-related resident programming.$10,000
March of Dimes CanadaSupports Aphasia Connect which promotes an inclusive and accessible virtual environment for adults with aphasia.$20,000
March of Dimes CanadaCovers staffing costs associated with Social Connect program.$15,000
Salvation ArmySupports vulnerable people with pandemic related needs and reintegration during the pandemic.$35,052
The Scleroderma Society of OntarioSupports online self-care/care community support education program designed to promote mental and emotional wellness for persons living with scleroderma and their caregivers.$25,000
Shalem Mental Health NetworkSupports installation of motion-activated sinks, toilets and soap dispensers for washrooms at the Shalem Counselling Clinic.$4,250
Speqtrum/YWCA HamiltonSupports virtual programming for Hamiltonians in the LGBTQ community including BIPOC and youth .$25,000
St. Joseph’s Healthcare FoundationSupports a 24/7 mental health support program for front-line workers including virtual counselling and peer support. $50,000
St. Matthew’s HouseSupports Seniors First Response Team which assists vulnerable people.$25,000
Student Open CirclesSupport volunteer connection process transition to online service delivery.$20,000
Tetra SocietySupports purchase of food gift cards for clients with disabilities.$3,000
Wentworth Lodge/City of HamiltonSupports staffing and technology for pandemic-related resident programming.$10,000
Westdale Cinema GroupSupports "Music Bucket" program where lead artist hosts weekly online workshops on how to build instruments for adults with mental health issues.$10,278
YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/BrantfordSupports virtual wellness programs for seniors.$25,000
YWCA HamiltonSupports staffing costs for two peer support workers to assist women seeking housing and accessing services.$30,186

Round 2

Cancer Assistance ProgramStaffing and equipment to meet increased needs created by volunteer shortage and patients being released$26,400
Charity of HopeSensory toys for children with disabilities in Landsdale and South Sherman neighbourhood$3,600
Food for Life CanadaEquipment and other expenses to support a fresh food distribution pilot at career centres$8,000
Food4KidsSupport “weekends without hunger” program$10,000
Good ShepherdAddresses shortage in emergency food donations to the Marketplace$50,000
Hamilton Downtown MosqueSupports supplies and delivery of food kits for 350 families monthly.$25,000
HAMSMaRTOutreach, peer support and supplies$50,000
Helping Hands Street MissionTechnology to assist in contact tracing$2,500
Housing Help CentreSupport to hire an additional landlord engagement worker helping people to find housing$36,250
IndwellSupport access to grief and trauma counselling for tenants and staff$40,012
Jewish Social ServicesIncrease food storage capacity$5,000
Mission ServicesImprove safety of physical environment for families waiting for food distribution$20,000
Mission ServicesIncrease security of residents at Inasmuch house$6,000
Salvation Army*Deep cleaning of centre every few months$25,000
St. Joseph's Healthcare FoundationSupport mobile nursing clinic, including expanding services and providing access to basic needs$50,000
St. Matthew's House*Kitchens to Go programs providing food to residents of six CityHousing seniors buildings$25,000
Welcome InnSupporting seniors programming, foodbank and phone helpline for newcomers,$24,750
Wesley Urban MinistriesIncreased hours, cleaning, PPE, hygiene kits and takeaway meal containers $30,000
YMCAMeals for men’s residence$20,000