London social agencies strained by COVID-19 pandemic get support from United Way

The United Way says it is donating more than $164,000 to a number oflocal social agencies to support their front line efforts to help people through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The not-for-profit has rallied donors from across the country to help frontline agencies, who are in turn helping the vulnerable during the pandemicthrough a charity campaign called "Local Love in a Global Crisis" that began last month.

In London, the organization is donating the money to 11 socialagencies.Here is how United Way said the grants break down:

• Across Languages Translation and Interpretation Servicereceived $20,000 forincreased demand for the Community Interpreter Access Program.
• Anovareceived$5,000 in order to provide more staffing and increase hours, in order to give more support for street-level sex workers.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Londonreceived $7,050 for technology and staff training to deliver community-based mentoring and case management services on digital platforms.
• CMHA Middlesexreceived$10,000 to provide meals, snacks,harm reduction items and other basic needs for the visitors of My Sisters Place and the London Coffeehouse.
• Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centrereceived$20,000for the neighbourhood-based provisionof food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.
• Daya Counselling Centre received $20,000 for subsidized counselling for essential workers and social services frontline staff.
• Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre received $13,500 for the neighbourhood-based provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.
• John Howard Society received $19,990 for technology to continue to deliver counselling services on digital platforms and physical distancing measures for delivery of services in person.
• Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre received $20,000 for children's mental health & wellness kits for 125 families (including grocery store & taxi gift cards, books, crafts, games, mental health services resources).
• South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre received $20,000 for the neighbourhood-based provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.
• West Elgin Community Health Centre received$12,000 for the provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.