Barrhead FCSS receives special COVID-19 funding

BARRHEAD-Barrhead and District Family Community Support Services (FCSS) is one of the first places people turn to in times of hardship.

And now due to the coronavirus outbreak and how public health restrictions have negatively impacted people's livelihoods, more people than ever are expected to seek out its services.

That is why executive director Shelly Dewsnap was so pleased to find out that they successfully received a financial boost thanks to the additional funding to help not-for-profits expand their services to help expand their programming assist people impacted due to the pandemic through the Community Initiatives Program (CIP). Dewsnap did not mention how much they received.

"This grant will allow us to get more food for the food bank," she said, adding they are currently looking at various delivery models as well as increasing the amount included in each hamper.

Currently, FCSS has closed its doors to the public, but the food bank is providing service by appointment only with volunteers delivering the hampers to awaiting vehicles. The closure to the public also means that the food bank is no longer taking food donations and that any items must be purchased.

Dewsnap noted the monetary influx will FCCS to extend its Thrive program.

Thrive is FCSS's family violence and relationship abuse prevention initiative. It gets its name because that is what they hope clients will do after accessing its services.

Initial funding for the program in 2011 came in the form of a provincial grant from the Safe Communities Innovation Fund (SCIF). When SCIF funding was no longer available for the program, FCSS found an alternative provincial grant through the Family Communities Safety Program.

In March 2018, this funding also came to an end. The program has been able to continue thanks to FCSS community fundraising efforts, however, it was slated to end sometime next spring when the remaining funding is expected to run out.

In mid-April, Thrive outreach mentor Cheri Jantz, noted in the early weeks of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but as time goes on she said she expected that number to increase noticeably.

"If we find that we have to extend the number of days we offer the program, we can do that," Dewsnap said. Thrive operates three days a week.

Seniors excursions

Dewsnap added FCSS also received a $25,000 New Horizons grant that will allow them to continue their popular excursion program.

The program allows seniors for a subsidized rate to go on seven to nine-day excursions.

The New Horizon For Seniors program is run by the Employment and Social Development Canada department to provide community organizations with a source of one-time funding for projects that will directly benefit seniors.

"After talking with the ministry they will allow us to differ the program for a year," she said. "Hopefully by then, they will have found a vaccine or something else so we can put on the program," she said.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com

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