LCF COVID-19 Response Fund

About the Fund

Led by London Community Foundation in partnership with the Lawson Foundation and Westminster College Foundation, the LCF COVID-19 Response Fund is a collaborative effort to support our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Coordinated Response

This collaborative partnership is working closely with United Way Elgin Middlesex, the City of London and other local funders to deliver a coordinated response that will provide a full-spectrum safety net for our community’s most vulnerable. Together, we are keeping our community strong.

Grants

An Advisory Council composed of partner organizations is determining how to best allocate these funds. Leveraging the Council’s expertise and community knowledge ensures we are proactively addressing our community’s needs.

Response Grants

To assist non-profit organizations serving the immediate needs of the most vulnerable individuals and families. This includes shelter, food, and other physical and psychological needs, such as counselling.

Recovery Grants

To assist in stabilizing non-profit organizations in London and Middlesex where their funding has been reduced, or their operational costs have increased as a result of COVID-19. Funding may also be directed to organizations for specific initiatives to assist vulnerable populations, further disadvantaged to a large degree as a result of the pandemic.

Rebuild Grants

To assist organizations in re-examining their current methods of operation, or to transform how they operate to more efficiently and effectively serve their clients, which may include new forms of collaboration and partnership. It may also include funds to assist in developing new business plans and models.

Thank you for your support!

It’s during times like this that we often see the best of people. We are amazed and inspired by the generosity and acts of kindness in our community. Thank you for helping make London and Middlesex stronger and more caring for everyone.

LCF COVID-19 Response Fund Grants

Response Grants:

Recently added grants are indicated with a *

Across Languages Translation and Interpretation Service $20,000

For making Across Languages’ remote service secure and reliable, including upgrades to their server, firewall, telephone, and back up systems to deal with the increased traffic.

Atlohsa Family Healing Services $20,000

For Atlohsa’s daily meal program, providing food to an estimated 500 indigenous people in partnership with Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Munsee-Delaware Nation.

Canadian Mental Health Association $8,000

For a specialized webpage embedded within the CMHA Elgin Middlesex website that contains resources for healthcare workers, providing CMHA Elgin Middlesex healthcare workers with everything they need to help manage their mental well-being.

Childcan, the Childhood Cancer Research Association $7,500

For providing visiting parents of children with cancer two meals a day, preventing the need for parents to go in and out of hospital rooms and reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure to patients.

DeafBlind Ontario Foundation $10,000

For PPE equipment for staff and residents across their three locations in London.

Family Service Thames Valley $15,000

For the redirection of resources towards addressing domestic violence during the pandemic and improve capacity of counseling services during the pandemic.

Indwell Community Homes $12,400

For increased cleaning services, supplies and equipment as well as tablets, phone cards, and basic cell phones to allow for residents to maintain more regular contact with social workers, case managers, doctors, therapists, and family.

John Howard Society of London and District $7,000

For costs associated with maintaining physical distancing practices in their satellite offices as well as purchasing PPE and cleaning supplies.

King's University College Foundation $8,700

For the Support and Aid to Families Electronically (SAFE) project, which seeks to provide immediate online assessment, information, referral, and counselling services to parents/families affiliated with TVDSB who are struggling with the urgent impact of COVID-19.

Middlesex-London Health Unit $10,000

For the creation and delivery of essential items to vulnerable populations who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been asked by the MLHU to isolate, minimizing the spread of infection.

Mission Services $25,000

For additional cleaning supplies, paper products, disposable cups, bowls and cutlery for meal deliveries as well as some personal protective equipment for staff.

N’Amerind Friendship Centre $10,300

For protective and sanitization measures and equipment for its kitchen out of which a collaborative food security initiative for Indigenous people will be implemented.

Regional HIV/AIDS Connection $10,000

For ensuring the food security and medical health and wellness of PHAs (People Living With HIV/AIDS) in our community .

SafeSpace/ANOVA $15,000

For cleaning products, harm reduction supplies, safe-sex supplies, food, diapers, a public health nurse and extended Wi-Fi for clients.

Salvation Army Centre of Hope $25,000

For cleaning and sanitizing supplies as well as some protective gear such as isolation gowns, masks and gloves.

St. Joseph’s Hospice $15,000

For the additional COVID-19-related costs that hospice is facing including protective equipment and cleaning/hygiene supplies to ensure safe care provision.

St. Stephen’s House $15,000

For an emergency bathroom renovation in their newly opened women’s residence ensuring adequate facilities especially during quarantine.

SOAHAC Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre $12,500

For providing access to traditional medicines, transportation, lunch programs and sensory activities for children, and basic needs such as diapers, wipes and food.

Society for Learning in Retirement London $3,600

For the replacement of in-person study and discussion groups with Zoom meetings due to social distancing requirements.

Thames Valley Education Foundation $10,000

For The Caring Fund, which provides up to $500 to students who don't have access to necessities like food, clothing, transportation and shelter.

Unity Project $20,000

For cleaning and hygiene supplies, snack food, laundry and other COVID-related costs.

YFC London $10,000

For the purchase of packaging materials for hot delivery meals, PPE supplies for staff, and the increased cost of utilities with additional use of their facility.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited $25,000

For plexiglass barriers and other safety measures for their locations throughout London and Middlesex County to ensure they are providing a safe environment for both staff and their clients.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited $2,500

For additional recycling bins for YOU’s social enterprise, YOU Recycling Centre. The additional equipment will provide youth with a safer training environment.

Recovery Grants:

Recently added grants are indicated with a *

Anago $24,634

To purchase 40 iPads with keypads and protective warranties to be used by individuals across programs enabling education access and social and therapeutic connections.

Bereaved Families of Ontario - Southwest Region $5,000

For increased staffing capacity to support the transition to 100% virtual counselling and address their growing waitlist for support.

Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium $20,000

For program delivery, staffing, evaluation management, program supplies and consumables. They will continue to adapt, innovate and deliver their essential London In-Hospital and modified Community camp-programs that support the most vulnerable kids with cancer and their families during the COVID-19 crisis.

Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre $7,000

To increase capacity and functionality of the Emergency Food Cupboard serving residents experiencing poverty in the Hamilton Road Neighbourhood. COVID-19 has resulted in both the increased need for food and improvements in distribution.

Daya Counselling Centre $20,000

To assist with wages related to domestic violence survivor counselling.

Family Services Thames Valley $13,000

To facilitate a 17 week Caring Dad’s group for two cohorts delivering specialized group counselling to fathers who are at risk of abusing, or have abused their children and/or their children’s mother.

Frontier College  $10,000 

To offer flexible, sustainable learning support to high-needs students in London with an adaptable program model that works in-person and online, helping to narrow an education gap that’s been widened by COVID-19.

KidSport London $15,000

To cover registration fees and purchase equipment for sixty children in our community so they can participate in sport and recreational opportunities.

Kiwanis Club of Middlesex $3,750 

For Staples gift cards to five elementary schools for student supplies.

Lawson Health Research Institute $25,000

To assess the impact of the local mental health and addiction system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the connections between programs and services across the system, using an initial pre-COVID-19 mapping as a baseline, helping to identify which connections need to be strengthened and address system gaps.

London Arts Council $77,500

To flow-through to Amabile Choirs $9,000; El Sistema South $5,000; London Symphonia $13,500; Aeolian Hall Performing Arts Centre $20,000; Forest City Film Festival Organization $10,000; and London Clay Art Centre $20,000.

London Abused Women’s Centre $13,800 

To update and install necessary equipment, so that LAWC can provide uninterrupted service to abused and exploited women and children over the age of 12 who are exploited in prostitution/sex trafficking/pornography, abused by their intimate partners, or subjected to sexual harassment or torture.

London Children’s Museum $25,000

To help fund operations during the pandemic. COVID-19 restrictions have greatly reduced capacity and limited the Museum’s ability to visit and host schools and provide facility rentals, drastically reducing earned revenue, which usually supports 50% of their annual operating expenses.

London Cross Cultural Learner Centre $15,000

Toward its Newcomer and Volunteer Virtual Outreach programming, specifically the purchase of devices to loan to newcomers and volunteers who do not have access to one.

London Community Dental Alliance $43,784

To assist with the increased construction costs of the Dental Outreach Clinic because of updated Ontario Royal College of Dentists requirements due to COVID-19.

London InterCommunity Health Centre $8,360 

For its Operation Outreach – Social Inclusion initiative. This effort aims to reduce the negative health impacts the pandemic has on LIHC clients and program participants through remote programming. This will be accomplished through increasing social connections, supporting mental wellness, and increasing participants’ access to education, information and resources.

London Muslim Mosque $20,000

For the Seniors Program, which aims to help prevent seniors’ social isolation in a time of recommended social distancing and self-quarantine, as well as delivering food, medication, and assist in visiting the doctor and connecting with friends and loved ones. The funds will be used to hire staff to replace the decrease in volunteers as a result of COVID-19. All programs will be delivered in an inclusive and culturally sensitive manner.

Nokee Kwe $10,000

To implement policy and procedures to their protect staff and the population they serve, as well as acquire appropriate PPE/protections and sanitation supplies.

Pillar Nonprofit Network $25,000 

To assist with its COVID-19 response work. Since the start of COVID-19, Pillar has quickly assessed agencies’ needs, responding with free online programing and providing expertise to small agencies on everything from legal advice on workplace safety to coping with a decline in funding. More than 50 non-profit executive directors are turning to Pillar each week for advice on how best to respond to emerging issues. While there is strong demand for its services, Pillar itself has lost revenue. This grant is viewed as support not only for Pillar, but for the non-profit community, especially smaller organizations with few staff resources.

Quest Centre (sponsored by Quad County Support Services) $30,000

For short-term operational funding (majority for staff wages, other miscellaneous expenses include - communications, computers, supplies, professional fees, insurance, web maintenance). The Quest Centre has been operating since last fall providing services and support in the Glencoe community and surrounding rural areas, facilitating COVID-19 testing and vaccination bookings and rides. When not in lockdown, the Centre can have 4-5 people accessing services and support related to a wide variety of familial issues.

Special Ability Riding Institute (SARI) Therapeutic Riding $45,000 *

For the purchase of two lesson horses to replace the two that were lost during the pandemic, as well as to support SARI in their recovery from the pandemic. Lockdowns and lack of fundraising opportunities have severely hampered SARI’s abilities to maintain their programming throughout the previous 18 months, resulting in many participants requiring re-assessment, among many other costs associated with a return to programming.

St. Stephen's House of London $15,000 *

For general operating expenses of St. Stephen’s House of London’s two addiction recovery homes, one for men and one for women, as COVID-19 restrictions have severely hampered their ability to fund-raise.

Thames Valley Education Foundation $25,000

To the Caring Fund, which was established to support students during emergencies or who face issues related to poverty. Due to COVID-19, the Fund has seen a spike in requests, quickly depleting available funds.

This grant was generously matched by a donation of $25,000 from Nicole Spriet and Sandy Mikalachki.

YFC London $20,000

For their Hub Harvest Meal Program, a free, 8 week-long meal box program where once a week, participating families with youth between the ages of 10-18 pick up a meal box with two recipes and the necessary ingredients to cook them at home.

Rebuild Grants:

Recently added grants are indicated with a *

Across Languages Translation and Interpretation Services $25,000

To hire a multicultural community liaison to develop information briefs highlighting the amplification effect of COVID-19 on newcomer and refugee groups in our community and help agencies reach out to their newcomer and refugee clients in culturally safe and appropriate ways.

Alzheimer Societies of Elgin-St. Thomas, London-Middlesex and Oxford $20,000 *

Increased social isolation, a significant reduction in respite options, and increased care partner stress are realities those suffering from Alzheimer’s have faced throughout the pandemic and this funding will assist the organizations in emerging from the pandemic with a strong, unified organizational structure designed to improve the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Boys and Girls Club of London $55,000

To bring the Boys and Girls Club’s Junior My Action Plan program directly into London Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH) family sites to address the COVID-related barrier to accessing Club-based programs and enhance and improve educational outcomes and empowerment during the COVID-19 school year.

Children’s Health Foundation $60,000

Towards the purchase of a “ROSA ONE Brain” Robotic Arm at the Children’s Hospital. The University Hospital campus of the London Health Sciences Centre has a robotic arm that enables surgeons, including paediatric surgeons, to pinpoint the location of seizures and remove the part of brain causing the problem. The Children’s Hospital was sharing the use of the robotic arm and operating room time with the adult epilepsy program at University Hospital. As a result of COVID-19, only emergency surgery is being done at University Hospital, leaving paediatric surgeons with no access to these vital robotics, resulted in a waiting list of 45 children – a number that will continue to grow.

Hutton House Association for Adults with Disabilities and Nathan Deslippe Memorial Fund $20,000

For the establishment of an urban farm in London starting with one Pod of 12 Garden Towers, “Nathan’s Farm,” to help address the growing need for food security as a result of COVID-19. Nathan’s Farm will support London’s vulnerable population by providing a sustainable food source; enable employment education and training for people with disabilities; and support the expansion of food education programs to sustain our future.

Lawson Health Research Institute $68,546

For a full-time System Facilitator for the Mental Health and Addiction Strategic Directions Office to research and develop methods and structures that will encourage collaboration among agencies including a better alignment of their COVID-19 responses.

London Cares Homeless Response Services $24,000

To equip two procedure rooms with equipment to allow for health professionals to provide services on-site in response to the increased severity of homeless due to COVID-19. London Cares is one of the partners involved in the Community Health Hub, which will co-locate a number of organizations serving some of the most marginalized members of our community.

The Bourne Family Fund generously gifted an additional $6,000 to fully fund this need.

London Cross Cultural Learner Centre $32,305 

For the volunteer platform development for the initiative CCLC Newcomer and Volunteer Virtual Outreach.

London Community Dental Alliance $10,000

To complete an evaluation of their community dental health care model helping them with their existing programming moving forward, including resolving accessibility issues exacerbated by COVID-19, while examining the possibility of replicating the model in other communities.

Mission Services London $15,000

To address the increased staffing costs associated with adhering to required safety protocols.

Mnaasged Child and Family Services $23,000

For additional costs due to COVID-19 restrictions to host a Symposium called “Standing Together” to discuss the impacts of trauma and addictions prevalent in Southwestern Ontario Indigenous communities. It will bring together seven of the First Nation communities, all urban agencies, on-the-ground workers, victims groups, Elders, and traditional societies – essentially any and all who have been working in, and are impacted by trauma and addictions – to have an assembled community voice, a place and time to discuss, collaborate, and coordinate services and programs.

Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support & Integration $23,712

For a Youth Program Facilitator and Peer Honoraria in support of the Hyati (My Life): Community Engagement & Empowerment Strategies with Newcomer Women & Girls program. The increased pressures brought on by COVID-19 has strained the resources of all the agencies that provide services related to domestic violence and the threats posed by isolation. The Muslim Resource Centre provides services in a culturally appropriate manner.

Pathways Skill Development $35,000

For the exploration of a unification of Pathways Skill Development and London Employment Help Centre increasing capacity to meet the demand of employment supports for Londoners who are facing barriers, worsened by COVID-19, to employment access. The pandemic intensified the challenges both organizations were already facing and further highlighted the strengths they might be able to leverage by coming together as one organization.

PHSS – London & Area $50,000

For the purchase of 25 laptops and appropriate accessories for the people PHSS supports to enhance engagement with family and friends, communication solutions, participation in community activities, and access to all the virtual world has to offer, such as online art galleries and experiences.

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) $5,000 *

For the “Virtual Engagement with Indigenous Families” program, COVID-19 has increased the need for communities to have access to online resources. This program focuses on increasing digital access to information and programming for Indigenous children and families at the new Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre, the first Indigenous-led centre of it’s kind specifically designed to support Indigenous peoples of London and region.

South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre, London & Middlesex Community Housing & Western’s Faculty of Education $15,000

For a collaborative initiative to improve educational opportunities of vulnerable children and youth who are being further disadvantaged as a result of COVID-19’s impact on the school system. This pilot program matched vulnerable students with volunteer tutors who are first- and second-year Bachelor of Education students at Western University.

South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre $90,000  

For Phase Two: Southdale Educational Enhancement Project (Community Learning Hubs).

St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation $5,000 *

For the “MINDS of London Middlesex Rural Transit for Mental Health Services” program. Physical distancing measures implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in an alarming rise in mental illness and distress in our youth. This program provides Transitional Age Youth (TAY; aged 16-25) who live in rural Middlesex County access to free transportation for mental health services.

YMCA of Southwestern Ontario $52,950

For its Digital Solutions and Community Engagement Program. The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario will work with local technological partners to analyze, develop, and promote more user-focused redesign of its system to meet the needs of the community during COVID-19 and beyond.

For a regularly updated list of community resources, click here.

LCF COVID-19 Response Fund Donors

Adrian Smith

Anonymous

Alexander Johnston

Allied Construction Corporation

Allison and Joe Lapthorne

AMAPCEO

Andra and Patrick O’Neill

Angela and Carlo Franceschino

Angela Mclaughlin

Anita Schipper

Anna and Tom McInerney

Anne Haayema

Anne Rasmussen

Ann and Bill Fleming

Ashley Grace Powell Memorial Fund

Aurelia Hernandez

Barbara Kaiser

Bernadette Wainwright

Bonnie and Peter Regier

Byron Corner and Pat Robertson-Corner

CanadaHelps

Catherine Doyle

Centennial Central PS - Graduating Class of 2019-2020

Daphne and Kevin Bice

David Cesarini

Department of Political Science, Western University

Diane Silva

Dragonfly Ventures

Elizabeth and J. Peter Whatmore

Emma Donoghue

Erica Morrison

Ernie Rauwerda

Gabriele Thomson

Gerry Spina

Grace Schipper

Green Shield Canada

Gore Mutual

Holly Crawford

Hung Hoang

Jackie Norman

Jackie Reid

Janet Fleet

Jennifer Bellmore

JMRD Wealth Management Team (National Bank Financial)

John Lund

Judith and Gerald Wheaton

Judith and Wilson Rodger, in memory of Joan and Geno Francolini

Judy White

Julie Stratton

Julie Zamprogna Balles and Joaquim Balles

Katharine and William Kostuk

Kathy Arnezeder

Katie Wright Professional Coaching

Karen and James Moffat

Kelly Babirad

Kim and Bruce MacGowan

Kirkby Bice Family Fund

Kobe Kwabena Adu-Poku

Kristen Naudie

Lara Hiseler

Laura Schipper

Laurie and Mark Baines

The Lawson Foundation

LCF Social Impact Fund

Lee Yu, StreetCity Realty

Leslie and Peter Johnson

Linda Armstong

Linda and Cecil Rorabeck

Lindsay Sutton

Lisa Paulaharju

Lubrico Warranty

Maigan Cowen Photography

Marek Mikulec

Marilyn Young

Marjie and Jeff Macoun

Mary Vegso

Mary Wilson

Medtronic

Michelle Barnes-Colpitts

Nancy Wright

Nick Walling

Pam From

Peter Reniers

Rachel Taylor

Reliable Technology Services

Rhonda and James Alexander

Rita Gardiner

Robert and Alexandra B. Kayser

Robert Wood

Sandy Levin

Sharon and Richard Driscoll

Sherril Fisher and Greg Playford

Shirley and Arthur Currie

Shirley and Ken Willoughby

Southwestern Ontario Squash

Sue Lidbetter

Suncor Energy Foundation

Susan and Allan Edwards

Susan and Ron Holliday

Suzanne Allan

Suzanne and Paul Manders

Suzanne Morton

Tammy and Michael Sheffar

Valerie Wade

The Venkatesan Family

Westminster College Foundation

Zavitz Insurance & Wealth