Online Trainings & COVID-19 Resources from Progress Toronto
April 3, 2020
Last week we shared an update on COVID-19 that included links to many resources, new tools and apps available to you to support communities, and the steps that we are taking as an organization during the pandemic. You can see that update here: https://www.progresstoronto.ca/covid-19-resources-march-26-update
This week, we are sharing some important government links, inviting you to an online event we are hosting, and sharing some resources from our online training on supporting vulnerable neighbours with neighbourhood pods. We hope you’re staying well, safe, and doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Below, you will find:
COVID-19 is having a significant impact on the way we are working and campaigning at Progress Toronto, but we are doing everything we can to continue our work (remotely of course) and do our part to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. Our offices are closed, we’ve postponed many outreach activities, and we are now hosting our Spring Training Series online, rather than in person.
Unfortunately, the economic impact of COVID-19 has had a financial impact on Progress Toronto as donations have understandably declined. This is difficult for us because we rely on donations to pay our rent and staff, for the tools we use to organize, to cover administrative costs, and much more. In the last two weeks we’ve taken some difficult steps to reduce costs and we are working to re-evaluate our budget and structure for this year, given our new reality.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to donate today, you can contribute at progresstoronto.ca/donate. It’s in times like these that we see where our social safety net is failing vulnerable people and the importance of Progress Toronto’s advocacy for expanded public services and an inclusive, affordable city.
Public Health Resources and Updates
The situation we face with COVID-19 and the response of various levels of government is evolving rapidly. The best place to get your updates on COVID-19 and the programs and supports available to you is through government websites. We suggest you bookmark these links and check back daily, as they are updated often.
City of Toronto: http://toronto.ca/covid-19
Province of Ontario http://ontario.ca/covid19
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/covid19
More details on the Government of Canada’s economic response and income supports can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html. The City of Toronto’s website also includes information on economic and social supports available to you.
You're Invited to Our Online Movie Night and Political Panel!
As part of our Spring Training Series, Progress Toronto is excited to partner with Women Win Toronto to host a panel with inspiring Toronto 2018 candidates. The conversation will be followed by a community movie viewing party of Knock Down the House, featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Join us this Saturday April 4 at 7PM for a 45 minute online panel discussion with Toronto candidates Chiara Padovani, Amber Morley, and Samiya Abdi - the conversation will be moderated by Progress Toronto’s Saman Tabasinejad, who was also a 2018 municipal candidate!
Find out what inspired these incredible women to run for office, their vision for a more equitable city, and the importance of changing who is elected and who makes decisions. The crisis we face with COVID-19 is highlighting where our social safety net is failing vulnerable people. Changing who holds power changes the decisions being made to ensure everyone has access to the supports they need for a healthy life.
Following the panel, we will be using Netflix Party to watch Knock Down the House simultaneously and to be inspired together as a community.
When you register, we will send you more information about how to join us online. We will be using Zoom for the panel, which you can follow by video or phone. For the movie, we plan to use Netflix Party to watch simultaneously. Note that a personal Netflix account is required for the movie portion (since we are watching from our homes to support physical distancing during COVID-19), but 30 day free trials are available.
Find out more and sign up for this free online event here: https://www.progresstoronto.ca/movie-and-panel-apr-4-2020
Recap: Monday's online training on how to help those vulnerable to COVID-19 — neighbourhood pods
Last Monday, March 30, over 130 people joined us for our online training with the Disability Justice Network of Ontario’s Sarah Jama and with Amara Possian, one of the creators of the Neighbourhood Pod Toolkit. Sarah and Amara's work was recently recognized in the Washington Post as a great Canadian example of taking care of each other through difficult times. See the article here.
Right now, people across the country are trying to find ways to take care of each other. Neighbourhood pods are one way people are connecting to make sure everyone’s needs are met by grabbing food, medication, or anything else that might put those who are vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission at risk.
There was a lot of great information shared on Monday! You can find a round up of the resources and references from the online training by clicking the links below:
Matt Ing, one of the participants, drafted this excellent resource full of notes from the online training.
There are a number of neighbourhood pods and mutual aid networks that have been set up in Toronto. Recently, Councillor Mike Layton released a list of networks in his ward as well as some city-wide ones. See Councillor Layton's list by clicking here.
There is also a Parkdale Mutual Aid Network that has resources you might find helpful. You can find them by clicking here.
Tips on Social (Physical) Distancing
As you know, Public Health professionals are asking everyone who is not working in an essential service to stay home and, if you must go out for the essentials, to practice physical distancing as a way to slow down transmission of COVID-19 in our communities.
That means staying home, keeping 2 metres (6 feet) apart from others and avoiding gatherings and crowds. The City of Toronto has provided more information that you can share with others here: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-health-advice/covid-19-practicing-physical-distancing/
Thank you!
On behalf of our entire team - thank you for your support and for doing your part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto and your communities.
Remember to check in online or by phone with friends, family, and loved ones to make sure they have what they need during this challenging time.
We hope the resources are helpful to you and that you’re taking care! Thank you for everything you’re doing to keep each other safe and to slow the spread of COVID-19.