Emergency 13

When residents in the Shelburne area of Nova Scotia need support paying for vital necessities like medications, eyeglasses, medical equipment or food, the Shelburne and Area Lions Club steps up to help.
However, due to COVID-19, the Club had to close its doors and community members who relied on them for help had to search for alternatives. Now, with the Club reopening, there are several unforeseen expenses as they try to adhere to new health and safety protocols.

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, newcomer families to Canada were among those hit particularly hard. Regularly accessed community programs shut down, and the sense of isolation grew as spring turned to summer.
 

Seniors, who are among those at greatest risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, have found many of their facilities closed and programs cancelled during the pandemic. After 108 days in self-isolation, 75-year-old James Burgess decided to take action and assist his community on the south shore of Montréal by applying for a grant from the Canadian Red Cross.

Imagine moving to a new country during a global pandemic. Already feeling the isolating effects of unfamiliar surroundings, you’re now faced with the challenge of making a new life for yourself and your family during a widespread lockdown. 

From labour to breastfeeding and more, being a new mother can be overwhelming so having available community supports when needed is invaluable - even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic when resources and supports can be in high demand. In Quebec, one community-based healthcare organization - Groupe d'entraide Allaitement Sein-Pathique – is helping more than just new mothers – any parent who would like guidance or advice from an experienced mentor can reach out to the program.

It was 11 a.m. when science class started on Monday, August 17. A group of about 15 students was doing what students usually do before class starts: happily chatting about what they did on the weekend. There was nothing out of the usual until you looked closer and noticed the students ranged from a very young age to their senior years, and everyone was taking part in the class from their own home through a videoconferencing app. “It’s good that there are adults, teenagers, and children,” said Gail Berman, a 64-year-old student. This heterogeneous group is connected by a condition that is common to all of them: everyone has autism spectrum disorder.
 

The Alexandra Community Health Centre, also known as The Alex, is a Calgary-based non-profit that aims to deliver innovative and accessible health and social solutions to vulnerable residents.
When COVID-19 was declared, The Alex, like many other organizations, searched for ways to continue providing services in a safe manner.

Hear from Louisette Trahan, a support aide part of the Red Cross humanitarian force deployed to long-term care homes, and what it's like to help out during the pandemic.