Community Living – Fort Erie received a grant funded by the Government of Canada through the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The grant was administered through the United Way Niagara. This grant was approved in the amount of $40,000.00 to upgrade technology and purchase digital equipment. More than 200 people supported by the organization will benefit from this grant. The upgrades and purchase of equipment will help us carry out the valuable work we are doing in the Greater Fort Erie community. Funds will ensure that people with intellectual challenges have the opportunity to participate in distance learning, provide electronic substitution for therapy and enable digital health care consulting.
This equipment will increase social interaction through virtual connections for the people we support and has allowed the administrative staff to work from home in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19. These upgrades in technology will help us to deliver services that respond to the current crisis while decreasing loneliness during these challenging times. People will have the ability to participate in online social activities, communicate virtually with loved ones, stream concerts, movies and sporting events.
The equipment will help to decrease feelings of social isolation. Through the purchase of video conferencing equipment, iPads, laptops, wireless access points and ethernet injection equipment will allow safe secure interactions while making a significant difference in the lives of the people we support. These upgrades will help our organization to be sustainable now, during the pandemic, and remain relevant in a post Covid-19 world. We are very thankful for the approval of this ECSF grant.
