CUPS Launches Urgent Needs Fund
The world changed on March 11, 2020 when the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. It’s something we’ve never seen before and there are a lot of unknowns about what is to come.
However, here’s what we do know.
We know that historically, the hardest hit by any developing crisis are those who are already well-entrenched in one of their own.
We know that people experiencing homelessness and poverty are at a much greater risk to contract the virus.
We know our most vulnerable community members will fight a bigger struggle to overcome the economic impacts of this for years to come.
This is why CUPS is here. To help those individuals and families in our community navigate through these current challenges.
However, this presents a dilemma in its own right. These people need CUPS now, more than ever, yet our resources are limited and stretched as we support efforts to reduce the outbreak. We also need to be looking to the future so we are set up to continue this work when the pandemic is over.
We’re asking for your help.
Today, we are pleased to announce the CUPS COVID-19 Urgent Needs Fund.
While many conversations are happening around the support needed for the future, let’s start with today’s urgent needs. From connectivity to education, health staff support and basic needs, now is the time to give, if you can, to support our most vulnerable community members.
Over the last few weeks, CUPS has responded quickly to COVID. During reduced hours, we continue to offer essential urgent in-person care to families and individuals. Our program staff are working remotely and continue to connect with clients at a safe distance. We are proud of how quickly our team has pivoted our service delivery so we can continue supporting our community. You can learn more about our efforts here.
We are here for them. And you can be too. Here’s how you can help:
Connectivity
Many of us take for granted the technology we have at our fingertips, but not everyone is as fortunate. Staying in touch with our clients and delivering every possible program by phone or video conference requires devices and internet access. Outfitting our team and clients with necessary technology to keep these programs rolling is a priority. Help keep CUPS connected — donate now.
Education
Our entire education program is designed around brain science, which explains why the experiences we have – good and bad – get built into our brains and bodies. Our focus is to ensure young children are given every chance to succeed at life from day one and the adults who take care of them at home are set up to support them. CUPS now faces the challenge of delivering our Family and Child Development Centre services through remote means. Not only are we providing children with educational activities to keep their brains active, but we are also offering our family programming, such as the Nurturing Parent program, through virtual sessions. Help educate our children and families — donate now.
Health staff
Our small and determined health team is on a mission! The CUPS Health Clinic team has been working around the clock, providing urgent health care at CUPS and doing their part out in the community to help contain the virus. Their work puts them at a greater risk of exposure and we must have the support systems in place to keep them safe so they can continue to help the vulnerable. As the impact evolves, additional staff will likely be necessary to support the cause. We are also preparing to expand a vital outreach program of practitioners in the community. As the need expands, this program must expand with it. Help keep our community healthy — donate now.
Basic needs
With so many job losses around the city, inconsistent or reduced income is posing a threat to our clients’ nutrition, housing and health. As clients self-isolate, groceries and grocery delivery has become an in-demand service, along with support for other basic needs to ensure they are able to stay home and stay healthy. Help keep our community safe at home — donate now.
We understand that many of you may be experiencing challenges yourselves and that every dollar counts. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and want you to know that with your generous donation, your dollars will have a big impact on the health of the community, by helping us contain the virus and helping our most vulnerable citizens navigate through this crisis. We will get through this together and become more resilient because of it.
Please, donate today.
Interested in getting involved at CUPS? Click here.