Dear Neighbor,
Toronto is now in the Grey Lockdown category of the Province's COVID-19 response framework. As per Toronto Public Health's guidelines, trips outside the home should only be for essential reasons such as groceries, medicine, health care appointments, exercise, school, childcare and work that cannot be done from home.
Our community is home to vibrant main streets that offer a unique shopping and restaurant experience. Many of them are providing local delivery and curbside pick-up options to meet your holiday needs. Please consider doing your holiday shopping locally this year and selecting local restaurants and bars when ordering take-out. You can find out more about the federal programs to support small business in this newsletter.
We need to be mindful of the toll this pandemic is taking on our collective mental health. Wellness Together Canada is a tool that can connect you to mental health and substance use support, resources, and counselling with a mental health professional.
Please see below for updates on:
Facebook Live: Ask Me Anything!
During last week's Facebook Live, I had spoken to MP Greg Fergus, who is the Chair of Parliamentary Black Caucus. He spoke of how he got involved with politics by becoming engaged at a very young age and what we as a government can do to take action against anti-Black racism. If you missed it, you can watch it here.
Tune in tonight at 7:30 pm to my Facebook Live, where you can Ask Me Anything. I'll be available to answer any questions you may have about COVID-19, federal policies or any other topic.
Know you can't make it but want to ask a question? Send me an email. Like my Facebook page to get a notification when I go live.
Community Calendars
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos for our community calendar! Our calendars are now being printed. If you would like one mailed to your home, please fill out the form.
Helping our Small Business Community
The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) is now taking applications. This program will provide up to 90% direct rent and mortgage interest support to charities, non-profit, and small business tenants and property owners until June 2021. Click here to learn more.
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program has also been updated to reflect its extension into 2021.
If you or someone you know owns or operates a small business please make sure to download the Canada Business App for the latest program news and access to programs.
With the lockdown measures now in effect, it is crucial that we prioritize our small business community during the busiest shopping season of the year.
The Leslieville BIA is hosting a virtual Wanderlust this year. To enhance the shopping experience, they are providing a specially curated gift guide as well as an interactive advent calendar to mark deals. For 21 days, shops in the Leslieville area will be offering deals and giveaways. The Window Wonderland competition will also allow for late night shopping. Please see the Leslieville Neighborhood Gift Guide and store directory.
Below is a list of our local Business Improvement Areas and their respective business directories to help guide you. You can also consult the East End Community Online Store Directory.
Community Fundraising Events
Virtual Riverside Antler Breakfast
The Riverside Antler Breakfast raises funds in support of the year-round operation of the local Rivertowne Breakfast Program. This year, the event will be held virtually. You can check out ways to support with proceeds going toward the Rivertowne Breakfast Program.
South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre 2020 Auction
Each year, SRCPC hosts an auction to help raise funds to maintain their programming. This year, they've been able to continue their programming virtually while receiving basic funding from the City. There are still gaps that need to be bridged to allow them to continue hosting workshops and provide their yearly Holiday Baskets for families in need. This year the auction will be held online, and proceeds will go to the Centre and to holiday baskets for families in need within our community. You can find out more about how to support them here.
Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative
In August our government announced $25 million over five years for the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative. This initiative supports capacity building, knowledge sharing and the celebration of Canada's vibrant Black Canadian communities. This week the second call for proposals under the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative opened. This call will support the capacity building of Black-led non-profit organizations by funding projects that:
Interested organizations can apply by visiting https://sbcc-acnc.smapply.ca/
Stay safe and please reach out by email or phone (416.405.8914, leave a message) for any questions, suggestions or feedback.
Yours,
Julie
| Mon: | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Tue: | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Wed: | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Thu: | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Fri: | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Sat: | Closed |
| Sun: | Closed |
