Want to help? Let us show you some ways.
Wash your hands, roll up your sleeves and pitch in
Susan Roman started making protective masks for a few family members and friends. Others soon started asking if she could make some for them. She has now made more than 800 masks and raised $3,000 for Food4Kids, which provides healthy food for kids with limited or no access to food each weekend. And Susan is still at it.
“It felt right to turn it into a fundraiser for Food4Kids, but masks are available to everyone, whether they are able to donate or not,” says the east Mountain resident. “I realized while I was sewing that I felt better. Doing something to help others eased my own anxiety about the pandemic.”
Like Roman, you may be at home with extra time on your hands and wondering what you can do to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic. But most organizations, even those continuing with virtual or essential volunteer efforts, have suspended new volunteer recruitment. So what can you do?
Reach out to neighbours
Some Hamilton residents are helping neighbours who are seniors or those with compromised immune systems by picking up and delivering groceries to them or connecting via social media groups, such as CareMongering-HamOnt: Hamilton Community Response to COVID-19 on Facebook, to offer extra food or supplies to anyone who may need them.
Join or start a call tree
Many religious and secular organizations are phoning members to check on their well-being. A group of eight callers phoned more than 300 households for Beth Jacob Synagogue.
“These caring cold calls were a way to connect with members and feedback from them allowed our rabbi to follow up with those who really needed him,” said Shira Kates, synagogue manager. “I think, as we see the shared anxiety and humanity in neighbours we never really acknowledged before, we will come out of COVID-19 more connected and empathetic.”
Kates advises others organizing a call tree to choose volunteers who will be positive on the phone, respect confidentiality and do it at a healthy pace. “It’s draining to hear others are struggling and if you don’t take a break, you won’t be able to help others effectively,” she says.
Use your talents
Hamiltonians can think of creative ways to use their expertise to help others. For example, Madison Ladd, who is graduating from the Early Childhood Education program at Mohawk College, created an online resource with activities for families with children, ages one to six. It also provides resources for educating children on COVID-19 in an age-appropriate way. Find the presentation at bit.ly/2XXrJHp.
Help organizations in need
Many organizations have had to suspend certain programs or put new volunteer recruitment on hold. “We really miss seeing our volunteers and we’ve been reaching out by phone and email to check in,” said Andrea Buttars, manager of resource development at Wesley. “Most of our regular volunteer opportunities have been cancelled but we have some volunteers with health care experience lending a hand at the Wesley Day Centre and the Isolation Centre for the Homeless. We’ve also had an overwhelming response from people helping at home, donating food, making a financial donation or sewing homemade masks.”
To find out how to help, visit wesley.ca/ howtohelp.
Hamilton Public Library
Hamilton Public Library is looking for teens, ages 14-18, to submit online reviews of ebooks and audiobooks for its Teen Review Board. Volunteers receive one hour of volunteer time for each review. The library is also seeking adult volunteers for its Newcomer Learning Centre Online Tutoring, to provide English language learning through onehour audio/video chat sessions, twice weekly for a minimum of six months. To apply, visit hpl.ca/forms/ volunteer-application.
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is looking for bilingual (English and French) volunteers to support its Crisis Text Line. To apply, visit kidshelpphone.ca/get-involved/ participate/volunteer.
Nanny Angel Network
Nanny Angel Network provides free, relief child care for mothers with cancer. Opportunities are available for experienced child care workers, age 18 and over, to virtually (over the phone or through video conference) engage children in fun activities. The service usually involves in-home child care in Burlington, Halton Hills, Oakville and Milton, so following the pandemic, volunteers would need to commute. For information, visit halton.cioc.ca/volunteer/ record/V-HVC0740.
YMCA
The YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford is looking for volunteers for three programs, which are usually run in person but have been moved online.
Online facilitators are needed for its English conversation group, where newcomers to Canada gather to practise their English speaking skills. Volunteers are also needed for the Canada Connects program, which introduces newcomer adults and families to Canadian culture through safe and supportive activities. For information, email abir.alsaid@ymcahbb.ca or call 905-5313953.
The Mentorship Program is recruiting volunteers interested in providing career advice and local industry insight to newcomers in the Hamilton area. For information, email kathryn.wrong@ymcahbb.ca or call 905-526-8452.
GroceryHero
Volunteers can sign up with GroceryHero to pick up and deliver groceries to front line health care workers who live in their neighbourhood. The program was created a few weeks ago by five friends in Toronto and has made 1,200 matches across the country. “Medical workers we knew said that finding a grocery delivery time slot was challenging and many feel uncomfortable going into a grocery store because of the potential of exposing the public to the virus,” said co-founder Luca De Blasis. To sign up, visit getgroceryhero.com.
Help with research studies
A University of Waterloo study is researching youth’s dietary behaviours influencing the consumption of milk/milk alternatives with the goal of contributing to the development of improved school nutrition and broader health policies. Students in Grade 11 and 12 can participate by emailing Carise Thompson at c29thompson@uwaterloo.ca.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia are looking for participants for a study investigating the impact of social isolation and stress on psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants complete a 40-minute online survey and two weeks of five-minute daily assessments. Optional surveys follow for up to one year.
For information, visit blogs.ubc.ca/covidstudy/.
A University of Ottawa study is looking at the relationship between personality characteristics and life circumstances on coping responses to COVID-19. Participants will complete an online questionnaire regarding life circumstances, mental health status and how they cope with negative life events. The second phase is an optional 14-day, online expressive writing program. To enrol, visit http://uottawapsy.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ergiMXhZKmwsvt3.
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto are conducting the ABC Parent Sleep Study. First-time mothers and fathers expecting a baby or with a baby under four weeks old can complete an online survey about their sleep, their baby’s sleep and nighttime routines when their baby is four weeks old and four months old. To participate in the study, email ABCSleepStudy@utoronto.ca or call (416) 946-7409.