WESTLOCK — The Hope Resource Centre in Westlock is using $30,000 in provincial funding to address some of the concerns that arise out of self-isolation for families in need.
“It actually gave me something tangible to hold on to because everything shut down, donations stopped, everything stopped, jobs were lost,” said executive director Sylvia Yoder.
“Not only was it a worry for me, it was a worry for my families, how are they going to get through this?”
In the application for funds, Yoder had already included a needs assessment she undertook in the community. The results indicated people are dealing with loneliness, isolation, confinement, loss of economic stability and denial of COVID-19.
She works with families for whom containment within the same household, coupled with potential job losses for one or both adults, can lead to situations of domestic violence or physical abuse. The restrictions instituted by the pandemic have also shut off access to informal networks that most women access when they’re in abusive situations.
“We’re trying to increase connection availability discreetly,” said Yoder.
What that means is that she’s doing most of her work through the phone.
“What we are, really, is a day shelter. We didn’t have to stop. Did some of our programs have to stop? Yes, for sure. As far as service to needs, that was not in any way impaired because we can keep going.”
So she’s using part of the grant to assist families that don’t have any internet connection at home.
“I want to work on accessing refurbished tablets or laptops and finding ways that we can make some kind of partnership with an internet provider so that families have got that connection.”
The Centre has also contracted a therapist, and Yoder is working on getting families connected with professional help.
Another portion of the money is set aside for food supplies for families, and some for operating expenses—although for the latter, she’s looking for other grants.
Online fundraiser
The COVID restrictions have also led to Dance for Hope being cancelled, the Centre’s largest annual fundraiser.
“The second thing that is impossible is we cannot be going to businesses and going ‘Will you donate?’ They have been impacted equally. It’s a scary time fiscally for anybody. I am not sure what people have to give,” said Yoder.
Instead, the Centre will be hosting an online silent auction via their Facebook page starting at the end of June. The items available are limited, and Yoder says she doesn’t expect “the level of income we normally receive.”
Last year, the Centre raised close to $14,000 from Dance for Hope, their most successful one yet.
“I wanted to find something that was current to what we’re dealing with,” said Yoder about the main auction item, an image titled “Just because she carries it well doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy.”
The image is the work of Cassandra Jones, a Grande Prairie photographer, who donated the framed print for the fundraiser.
“I just thought it was a respectful nod to the multifaceted challenges that women deal with,” Yoder said.
