COVID-19 Black Emergency Support Fund

COVID-19- GTA BLACK COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUND


The public health response to the COVID19 virus requires social distancing, and as a result, many things are being cancelled to keep the community safe. These closures are important and necessary. They do however have impacts on the many people in our community, particularly those who are working in the gig economy— freelancers, artists, performers, servers, service workers, etc. Many in our communities have lost their income source for the foreseeable future. 


Additionally, school closures, while necessary, impact the many families who rely on the school meal program to feed their children, and many are already, or soon will be, missing work to care for loved ones. In short, many of us are finding ourselves financially short as the month rolls out. 


Black Lives Matter- Toronto is launching a fundraising campaign to create a GTA Black Community Emergency Support Fund for Black folks in the GTA who need extra support during these times. 


We will be giving out one time stipends of $125 or $250 to Black people through an online application process, depending on need (please self-assess). As we need this fund to reach as many people as possible please only apply once; there will be one time access only. We will continue to fundraise so we are able to give out as many as possible. 


TO ACCESS THE GTA BLACK COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUND

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhYyxDb9swO8f_7vQafrswZp9wxIaXr6pEr90BTY5G-yoG2w/viewform?usp=sf_link



Can you help us raise some funds to support our communities? Let’s work together to provide mutual aid and ensure that Black people in Tkaronto have what they need to survive this crisis. 


TO DONATE TO THE GTA BLACK COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUND 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/black-emergency-support-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet





WHO SHOULD APPLY


This is an EMERGENCY FUND for Black individuals living in the GTA. Specifically, we want to support individuals who, as a result of the pandemic, have lost income and are at a loss for how to fill their revenue sources, who now have unforeseen childcare costs, folks who have to find the money for children's food now that schools are closed, artists, freelancers, and gig  gig economy workers who have lost out on gigs, seniors and elders in our communities, disabled folks, folks who are facing daily challenges of capitalism and are living on or near the street. 


We ask you to self-assess based on need; and we want to prioritize those who do not have financial alternatives such as investments, employment, or other sources of income. 



IMPORTANT NOTE


This fund is created based on a shared community trust system. We want to reduce the barriers that invasive questions do to accessing support, while being as accountable and transparent to the community.


To that end, funds will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis. We want to honour this commitment by trusting that those who have the means will seek out those means, and leave this fund to be accessed by those of us who are now left with little to no choice. 


This fund is limited. Utilizing community donations, we will continue to hand out funds for as long as we can, but recognize that this too will not be sufficient to bridge the deep gaps that this crisis has caused. 


To preserve each others privacy and dignity, we will never publish the names or details of the recipients, but will give periodic updates to our community on the number of people who have been served by this fund



OTHER SOURCES OF SUPPORT


BLACK CREEK COMMUNITY FARM EMERG FOOD BOXES (JANE & FINCH COMMUNITY)

Emergency Food Boxes are available, and delivered by Food Share Toronto to your home. Limited supplies. Priority is for Jane and Finch residents who need extra support at this time.  

To access form: https://bit.ly/2ITcF4C 

Please support the program with a cash donation at blackcreekfarm.ca  


ACTORS FUND OF CANADA (ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY-PROFESSIONAL)

The Actor’s Fund of Canada has emergency support for anyone working in the entertainment industry. Link: https://afchelps.ca/get-help/ 


UNISON EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANT (MUSIC INDUSTRY)

Unison is a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. For emergency financial assistance inquiries, please check out  https://unisonfund.ca/services/financial-assistance or 1-855-986-4766


PEOPLE WITH AIDS TORONTO EMERGENCY SUPPORT  (POZ, HIV+ COMMUNITY) 

PWA Offers many practical supports including financial assistance, food market, vitamin supplements. Link: https://www.pwatoronto.org/practical-supports/


UHN OPEN LABS FRIENDLY NEIGHBOUR HOTLINE (SENIORS & ELDERLY)

Over 300 individuals who are there to offer assistance to the thousands of seniors living in Toronto Community Housing buildings across the city. They will assist with picking up essentials like medication and groceries.  Link: https://bit.ly/2QhMZCL


COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE FOR CANADIAN ARTISTS, WRITERS, AND MEDIA WORKERS

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j5G-290oBGludXRJEV4pS-sdefCX9MWUkwk2WT7K99Y/mobilebasic


GLADDAY EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FUND FOR LGBTQ2S ARTISTS, PERFORMERS, AND TIP-BASED WORKERS

https://www.gladdaylit.ca/?fbclid=IwAR1FiEx5zs4Fm2uipRM7Ml5LGlFT9Spy_PIhVJZZoU3-Nkg2wtn2hzsJfDk


EMERGENCY FUND FOR PRECARIOUS WORKERS

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r-8rr27mPHO3-5M4Rs_oiQFacgZh_lMvwlkVv7bxQDA/edit#gid=0


BLACK LEGAL ACTION CENTRE

If you need legal support during this time,  https://www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca/



KNOW OF AN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL SUPPORT RESOURCE IN THE GTA? Email us at [email redacted] and we’ll add it to the list.


Let’s continue to support each other through this time.


In health, power, and social distance,


BLMTO