From The Reading Partnership: We've tailored our signature Reading Partnership Parents program to teach parents how to teach their kids, ages 4 to 6, to read online. Professional educators lead weekly 75 minute, virtual 'playshops', designed to build the skills and confidence of parents, and guide them through literacy activities and games with their child.
There are two sets of dates for the program Jan - March 2021. Deadline to register is January 15, 2021. More details and register here
Peer support for bereaved individuals/families
Bereaved Families of Ontario - Toronto (BFO Toronto) is a non-profit organisation that provides support to individuals who have experienced a life changing loss. BFO Toronto’s services are free of charge and range from one-to-one support to 8-week support groups. They are led by extensively trained volunteers who have experienced a similar life changing loss. BFO Toronto is a well-respected organization that has adapted to meet the changing needs of Torontonians since 1978. In these unprecedented times, they have moved their services online. Losing a loved one is devastating at any time, but in this pandemic, the social isolation makes it even harder. When left unaddressed, grief can lead to mental health and other issues that ripple through family and community. What BFO Toronto is offering is:
· Free online one to one and 8-week group support to anyone who has experienced a life changing loss.
· Training for anyone who with their own experience of loss is interested in becoming a volunteer facilitator to support others. Skills learned in the training are transferable to both community work and employment.
In case you missed it: The Storefront’s building closure extended
In case you missed it: Due to extended restrictions that came into effect on December 26, The Storefront building at 4040 Lawrence Ave. E. will remain closed to the public until further notice. We will update the community on possible re-open dates according to the latest public health information. Visit our Re-opening updates page for updates.
The Storefront staff are still here for you remotely, even when our building is closed! We are answering the phone lines and email: call (416) 208-9889 from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday to speak to a Community Resource Specialist.
Financial Supports
Ontario Support for Learners one-time payment expanded to secondary school students, deadline extended
Ontario is expanding the Support for Learners program to students ages 13 to grade 12, including students who are in secondary school that are over 18. This one-time payment will be $200 per student over the age of 13. Applications will open on January 11, 2021. Details on who is eligible and how to apply: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-support-learners
Please note that the deadline to apply for the Support for Learners payment, for children under 12 and students up to grade 12 has been extended to February 8, 2021.
Subsidized smartphone plans for seniors and youth
Mobility for Good for Seniors is a national program from Telus that provides low-income seniors, as well as youth with lived experience in the child welfare system with access to free phones and subsidized data plan.
Seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) can access:
A free smartphone and a $25/month plan that includes unlimited nationwide talk and text and 3GB of data
Applications open for TTC Fair Pass discount program
The City of Toronto is now accepting new applications for the Fair Pass Discount Program. Fair Pass is a discounted TTC pass for City of Toronto residents between the age of 20 to 64, and receiving assistance through Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), or a Child Care Fee Subsidy through Toronto Children’s Services (with some additional eligibility criteria). Learn if you are eligible and how to apply on the Fair Pass Program website or over the phone by calling 416-338-8888.
Note that you need a PRESTO card to apply. Don’t have a PRESTO Card? Right now, you can get complimentary PRESTO Cards at select Toronto Public Library branches, while quantities last. To find a branch near you where you can pick up a free card, visit www.tpl.ca/presto.
Online Workshop: COVID-19 Emergency Benefits and CERB Repayments
A workshop organized by the Toronto Public Library: A representative from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will talk about the COVID-19 Measures that have been put in place by the Government of Canada. We will also take a closer look at the Canada Recovery Benefits and what to do if you need to return or repay a payment.
Online workshop: Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs): What You Need To Know
From the Toronto Public Library: Learn how to grow your money for near-term as well as longer-term goals! Join in this clear and easy-to-understand one-hour presentation by Teri Courchene, former economist, director of research at one of Canada's big banks and financial educator. Teri will introduce and explain key features of TFSAs, investments you can hold in a TFSA, recent trends and outlook for bonds and stocks, how TFSAs compare to the RRSP and more!
New tenant assistance resources from the City: learn about tenant rights and responsibilities, how to fight an eviction, City rental assistance and eviction prevention programs, the RentSafeTO program, accessing emergency housing and more. You can check the portal here.
Some relief on your hydro bill: Temporary rate freeze and expanded eligibility for financial support
Ontario is freezing electricity prices at the off-peak rate 24/7, starting January 1, for 28 days. This will be automatically applied to your bill. Learn more here.
The province is also making it easier to apply to the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). Any residential, small business, or registered charity customer with an overdue electricity or natural gas bill will now be eligible to apply. A residential customer can receive up to $750 to help cover their electricity bill and an additional $750 for their natural gas bill. Small businesses can receive up to $1500 for each. Applications open in January- see link for details.
Jobs & Training
Deadline Tomorrow: The Reading Partnership is hiring contract facilitators & illustrators
The Reading Partnership is hiring contract illustrators and facilitators for their community programs- looking for candidates who reflect the East Scarborough community they serve. See postings for details and apply by January 7th: Facilitator job postingClick Here for flyer and Illustrator job posting Click here for flyer.
Employers: Apply for Canada Summer Jobs funding to hire youth
Applications are open for the federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs program. The program provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years. Funded employers are not restricted to hiring students — all youth aged 15 to 30 years may be eligible participants.
Storefront staff regularly scan local job listings and connect with employers looking to hire. We’re constantly finding out about new position openings! The Storefront’s latest Job Lead List features opportunities for youth, jobs in the social sector, administrative positions and more! Click here for this week’s List of Job Leads with Scarborough-based employers.
Online Workshop: Resumes That Will Get You the Job
A workshop organized by the Toronto Public Library: Presented by Dixon Hall Employment Services as part of a 4-part series to help expand your employment opportunities. In this session, learn about:
- Writing a winning resume - Different resume styles - Current resume formats - Customizing your resume - Targeting the needs of the employer
Scarborough-Guildwood Town Hall with Dr. Eileen De Villa
Join your local representatives Councillor Paul Ainslie, MPP Mitzie Hunter, and MP John McKay on Thursday January 14 at 7 PM for a live town hall meeting with special guest Eileen De Villa, the City of Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health.
Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest information about the COVID19 pandemic and your neighbourhood. Questions or comments for your representatives or for Dr. De Villa? Email: councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca by Monday Jan 11 at 4 PM. Join the meeting here: rebrand.ly/JAN14Click Here for flyer
City of Toronto now sharing more detailed workplace outbreak data
Did you know that you can now check the Toronto Public Health COVID19 monitoring dashboard for information on workplace outbreaks? As of this Monday, Toronto Public Health will be providing more detailed information about the sectors where the most outbreaks are being reported including restaurants, retail, food processing, shipping and manufacturing, and several other categories. The City of Toronto will now also be publicly identifying the location of some workplace outbreaks, in cases where there is “sustained transmission” and where the workplace is large enough that individual workers’ privacy won’t be compromised.
The City has also issued a Letter of Instruction to businesses currently operating with new measures on safety for their workers and workplaces, including a new requirement to immediately notify TPH of two or more people who test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days that are connected to the workplace setting.
Got questions about COVID19 and work?
The Workers Action Centre has a worker hotline, as well as resources on the COVID19 Recovery Benefits that replaced CERB this fall for workers whose jobs are affected by the pandemic, for workers who get sick, and for workers who have to care for someone at home.
Healthy Living Through Arts: Become a volunteer Board of Director
Healthy Living through Arts is a not-for-profit organization established in 2018 in Scarborough. From our grassroot beginnings as Healthy Living through Art, we strive to create accessible opportunities to deliver and promote arts programming to children, youth and their families in the KGO community since 2008. We work in collaboration and partnerships with agencies and organizations in Scarborough to engage communities through artistic means.
We are currently recruiting volunteers to sit on our Board of Directors to mould and shape the future of our organization. If you are looking for opportunities to make an impact to the lives of children, youth and families through the arts, we would love to hear from you. Contact info@healthylivingart.ca , visit www.healthylivingart.ca
