Community Care Peterborough Receives $74,243 From Federal Government's Community Services Recovery Fund

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) received $74,243 from the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund to hire a one year contract Program Coordinator and to enhance their existing Specialized Transportation and Access to Primary Care programs announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The fund is a one-time $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support community service organizations including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies, as they adapt and modernize their organizations for pandemic recovery according to a press release. It is administered by the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada. They provide funding to Community Service Organizations including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada.

“As of long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we welcome the Government of Canada's push for a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities for everyone in Canada,” said Danielle Belair, CCP executive director.  “We have seen an immediate improvement in our ability to respond to the growing needs of our community as we adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.”

Hope Robbins joined the Community Care Peterborough team in May and took on the role of Program Coordinator of Brokered Services and Grocery Shopping and Delivery for the City of Peterborough. 

“As a result of her efforts, Hope has reduced the waiting time for our clients needing Home Help and Home Maintenance programs from three months to one month,” said Belair.  “We also had on average five to 10 clients waiting for Grocery Shopping & Delivery services each month and now there is no waiting list.”

Community Care Peterborough’s Grocery Shopping & Delivery program is for clients who can cook meals for themselves but help in getting groceries. Volunteers can either shop for a list of groceries needed or simply pick up orders prepared by the grocery store for clients who do not drive. It is an option in their food security program of Meals on Wheels that also offers prepared hot and frozen meals to residents not able to cook on their own.

“With more medical professionals now conducting their appointments in person, this funding is also helping us build back our Specialized Transportation and Access to Primary Care programs for clients,” said Belair.  “The demand remains high but our wait times are also decreasing from these services too.”

Community Care Peterborough’s Specialized Transportation program uses their accessible vans for clients whose physical needs cannot be met through their volunteer driving service.  Their Access to Primary Care program employs Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to provide transportation and accompaniment for people who require support to attend primary care and other medical appointments.  The service is for those who require assistance beyond what is offered by a volunteer driver due to mobility or cognitive limitations. PSWs can take notes during the appointment.

“We are grateful for the additional funding that we were able to access through the United Way of Peterborough & District,” said Belair.  “We didn’t stop our services during the pandemic and as we, like all health support agencies, feel the impact of increased demand and we want our clients to be able to access the services they need to remain safe and independent in their own homes and out of hospitals and long term care facilities.” 

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