Ontario partners with SPARK Ontario to help seniors during COVID-19 pandemic

#Ontario; #SPARKOntario; #Seniors&Vulnerable; #Volunteers, #Covid19Pandemic

Toronto, Apr 9 (Canadian-Media):  A partnership is being established by the Government of Ontario with SPARK Ontario to help seniors and the most vulnerable stay connected and healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak self-isolation, media reports said.

Spark Ontario. Image credit: Facebook page

Ontario's first bilingual volunteer hub, SPARK Ontario aims to direct volunteers to where they are needed most. With varying needs of each community, groups across the province are in need for volunteers to help deliver food or medicines, run errands, check-up on seniors and the most vulnerable by phone or email during their self-isolation.

Over these past few weeks I’ve been inspired by all of the #OntarioSpirit. To make it easier for more people to help, we’ve partnered with @SparkOntario to connect people with volunteer opportunities. Learn more: https://t.co/ibnGm4OlHS pic.twitter.com/lTszlIrykT

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) April 9, 2020

To protect the health and safety of seniors and people with disabilities during this outbreak, Ontario is investing an additional $20 million over two years to better protect seniors and staff at retirement homes and support the delivery of foods and medicines to seniors and people with disabilities to ensure they can stay home and stay healthy.

Besides this, Ontario is investing $100,000 as part of a government-wide initiative to help connect community organizations to the volunteers Ontario needs through www.sparkontario.ca.

$200 million in social services relief funding was recentlly announced by Ontario  to help the province’s most vulnerable during COVID-19.

During this challenging time it is more important than ever that volunteers get together to support the most vulnerable in our communities.

By working with SPARK Ontario and supported by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, the volunteers are being mobilized to help those most in need, especially our older adults and physically challenged, Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility said. 

Volunteer organizations can encouraged to visit www.sparkontario.ca to post available volunteer opportunities in their communities, while Ontarians interested in volunteering are encouraged to check the website for opportunities to make a difference where they live.

Seniors, people with disabilities, and others in need of assistance can also be connected to essential services in their community at any time by visiting www.211ontario.ca or by dialing 211 or 1-877-330-3212 (toll free). TTY service is also available by dialing 1-888-340-1001.