Hello East Scarborough! Read on for our latest roundup of key resources and up-to-date information on COVID19-- the information and resources that matter most for our KGO and East Scarborough community.
This crowd-sourced e-newsletter is brought to you by The East Scarborough Storefront
Our intake worker supports women who experience violence and abuse in their relationship. We discuss each woman's situation, inform them of services available and connect them with the services, located primarily in Scarborough, that they choose to use.
We have modified services to phone and email, please contact 416-216-4623 or contact@cwomenss.ca for support.
Kindly give us 48-72 hours to respond to your inquiry. We check messages regularly and will get back to you as soon as possible. We appreciate your support during these challenging times and we wish you health and safety.
SCHC's EarlyOn Centre is Still Here for You & Your Family!
A gentle reminder we want to share that we are here for you, your family and children. If you require any support or assistance, whether it be information about the services still operating such as our food bank, a new activity/idea for your child(ren) or if you want a 5 minute video chat! Please feel free to reach out to us by email: earlyon@schcontario.ca or by text/call at 416-427-6781 or 416-454-5547.
Check out our April newsletter an ongoing resource list with direct links for activities and more for your children. Lastly, as an effort to stay in touch and connected, click here to join our WhatsApp Group! Our families have been sharing great wisdom, stories, and resources.
Scarbrough COVID-19 Response for Vulnerable Seniors
Starting today you can now reach Carefirst, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, Senior Persons Living Connected and Transcare for access and referrals to essential supports to keep seniors home and out of hospital through one line at 416-736-9372 or 1-888-834-8776!
Eligible:
Vulnerable and frail older adults and seniors at risk of isolation
Persons that have recently been discharged from hospitals or at risk of returning to hospitals
Persons in quarantine and self-isolation with limited access to community supports
Settlement Services During COVID-19
The East Scarborough Storefront in Partnership with CCS offers Settlement Services for clients online and on the phone. Settlement services include but not limited to :
Newcomer services at current situation
Canada Emergency Response Benefits, Ontario Emergency Response Benefits, EI applications, social assistance (OW, ODSP, etc.) applications,
Immigration and citizenship application forms & information: citizenship, PR Card, Family sponsorship, work permit, etc.
Tax and financials related to the current situation
Education: college and university, bridging programs, adult education, Computer for kids and more
Health, OHIP, IFH, OTB and more
Housing /Rent issues
Referral to online Commissioner services to certify documents
Any question? Please contact: Houri Sahba, Settlement Worker at Storefront:
Mon-Fri: 9:00 am -5:00 pm
Phone: 647-338-6300
Email: hsahba@ccscan.ca
Text message: Evenings and Weekends
Supports for Indigenous Community Members
Toronto Aboriginal Supports Services Council has created an up-to-date list of supports available for Indigenous community members from their member agencies across the GTA (including Scarborough) at this time. Check it out here.
Virtual Programs for Newcomer Children & Youth
Scarborough’s Centre for Immigrant & Community Services (CICS) is offering free-e-programs for newcomer children and youth. Check out their weekly schedule and program description here. Click here to register today!
Food Access Resources in East Scarborough - Updated
The Storefront's list of East Scarborough food access resources has been updated, and cross-referenced with Councillor Ainslie's Ward 24 list that he has been sending out via his newsletter as well. Check out the list & share here!
CERB & other Financial Supports
CERB Eligibility Expanded
As of April 15, the government has expanded the CERB financial benefit so that more people are eligible.
You are now also eligible for CERB if you:
Are still making up to $1,000 per month (for example, if you have had your hours reduced, but you are still working part-time or picking up a few shifts)
Are a seasonal worker who has exhausted your regular EI benefits and are unable to do usual seasonal work because of COVID19
If you have recently exhausted your regular EI benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID19
For full information on CERB and to apply, visit the CERB website or apply by phone at 1‑800‑959‑2019 or 1‑800‑959‑2041
For further guidance and information about how you can apply to CERB, you can also call The Storefront’s Community Resource Specialists at 416-208-9889 from 9 - 5 PM on weekdays for support.
More Financial supports updates
OW and ODSP clients are able to access an additional one-time benefit for COVID emergency relief for $100 for individuals, $200 for families. To access this, speak to your caseworker.
Starting from May, there will be no physical cheques being issued for OW and ODSP. All payments will be issued through direct deposit or reloadable card. If you receive OW or ODSP and pick up physical cheques, contact your caseworker to get a reloadable card to receive your payments going forward.
Interested employers who have not already applied for Canada Summer Jobs funding should contact their Member of Parliament before April 20, 2020.
Eligible jobseekers should search Canada’s Job Bank to find positions funded through this program.
The Storefront’s list of local job leads includes new opportunities in customer service and warehouse work this week. Check it out here!
Whether you’re preparing your next job application, or creating a plan to reach your long-term employment goals, our Employment Specialists can help! Contact Yalini by phone or email at 416-208-7197 ext. 46 or yaliniv@thestorefront.org.
Check out this information for residents living in high-rise communities on wearing homemade masks/face coverings as a preventative measure from Health Access Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Health Centre.
Have a non-emergency health concern? Consider connecting with a virtual doctor’s office (covered by OHIP):
Do you receive OW or ODSP? The City of Toronto Housing Stabilization Fund provides money for emergency housing needs to people receiving financial assistance through Ontario Works or income support through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Find out more here.
For TCHC tenants:If you need help, we are here (latest update from TCHC on general supports available to tenants). Translated versions available on their website
Support for people experiencing homelessness: If you are experiencing homelessness, please call 311 or the City’s Central Intake Line at: 416-338-4766 or 1-877-338-3398 (toll-free). City staff will refer you to available shelter, respite site, or isolation site, and also ask you about your current health and recent travel history. Also be aware that the City has stopped clearing encampments since the start of the pandemic, has increased street outreach supports, and added new portable washrooms and handwashing stations across the City. More info on the City’s website.
