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Community Hope Chest proves its weight in ‘hope’

July 10, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

CONTACT Community Services wants to share the success that has been achieved in helping neighbours, friends, and sometimes family by donating to the Community Hope Chest.

The Community Hope Chest initiative was launched almost a year ago under the portfolio of Brenda Pufek, Engagement and Development Officer. It is a key priority for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

“It struck me that the government funding available can be very limiting,” Mr. Pufek said. “With community dollars, we have been able to fully support the stability of community members with financial support that ‘doesn’t fit into a box.'”

Thanks to the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation through a Resilient Communities Grant last year, CONTACT Community Services was able to hire this position to capitalize on virtual forums to increase community awareness of the work of the organization and generate needed dollars through initiatives such as the ‘Home for the Holidays’ online auction. This initiative alone brought in over $16,000.

The funds are earmarked to assist low-income households and families.

One recipient of funds stated, “I was late on bills, specifically phone and cable – one of which is essential for communication. Any left-over funds I used for food. It was an easy process and it provided much needed support. It allowed me to get caught up on bills and get back on track.”

CONTACT’s executive director, Emily McIntosh, noted the necessity of this element of service, saying, “The team brought to my attention that we had new housing all set up for someone, but the landlord required last month’s rent before move-in. Although the person qualified for regional financial support, they were waiting for his money to be processed. Instead of losing the unit, CONTACT created an agreement with the landlord to secure the difference in the interim. This flexible financial support was the difference between this person having a place to call home instead of experiencing homelessness.’

The community-funded Community Hope Chest has assisted over 60 community members to date.

It allows CONTACT Community Services to continue to assist low-income households and families in managing emergency needs and unexpected expenses when all other options for sources of assistance are exhausted.

The Community Hope Chest helps people in need access food, prescriptions, eyewear, transportation assistance to go to a job interview, translation services, housing viewings or appointments, and any number of other critical needs that are necessary to maintain their housing and physical and emotional well-being.

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