We are cautious, but determined.
As we enter the second year of the pandemic, protecting the health and wellbeing of both our community members and our staff team continues to be our first priority. We are also committed to imagining new ways to be together again, safely, and in person.
Community members regularly tell us how The North Grove’s programs give them a deep sense of belonging.
Even in the midst of the pandemic, our 2020 annual survey revealed 100% of participants feel they belong to a community at The North Grove, despite the isolation of the pandemic.
There’s no doubt our team worked hard to meet urgent needs over the past year – distributing close to 18,000 takeout meals, more than 10,000 bags of produce, over 1500 children’s craft and activity kits as well as an assortment of other supplies, but we know emergency food and online programs cannot replace being together.
After a year of extended isolation, and witnessing the toll it is taking on people already facing complex challenges, we will not stop looking for creative ways to get ‘back to business’ and see the faces we know and miss.
This month we are excited to be offering
Good Food Market: our subsidized market brings a wide variety of produce back to program participants at The North Grove
Prenatal Support Program: one of the only in-person prenatal programs for moms-to-be and their support people
Food Demos with Melissa: this popular program is back and hosting small groups in our dining room every week
Family & Baby Playgroups: small groups led by Early Childhood Educators in our brand new child development space
Community Action Workshops: small groups gathering to take a deeper look at advocacy
Community Action Appointments: one-on-one appointments offering support on a range of issues from housing and income assistance to mental health
Income Tax Clinics: one-on-one support with tax filing
Housing Clinics: assistance for those who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness offered in partnership with Welcome Housing & Support
As excited as we are to offer these programs, we recognize that holding our in-house community meal program is not yet possible. As a result, take home meal distribution will continue twice weekly for the foreseeable future, but we are already dreaming of the day when we can sit across the table from each other once again.
I want to thank the entire North Grove community for its flexibility, generosity and resilience during this incredibly difficult time.
Warmly,
Wendy Fraser
Executive Director, The North Grove