THUNDER BAY —Donations from the Thunder Bay COVID-19 Community Relief Fund are helping the NorWest Community Health Centres outreach team support individuals and families during the coronavirus pandemic.
Those supports have expanded beyond food boxes to include wellness checks by telephone from a community health worker or staff member.
"We started thinking outside the food box and recognized other crucial ways to support the community. From those calls, we are able to identify other essential needs and the need was not always food-related," says Michelle Kolobutin, coordinator of the harm reduction and managed alcohol programs for NorWest.
Kolobutin said the ability to interact with someone who can answer questions about COVID-19 has been important in reducing anxiety and loneliness that some people are experiencing.
She said delivering food boxes also helps team members keep clients engaged with social services and medical care.
Other supports include home visits for prenatal and medical care along with the delivery of a variety of necessities including insulin, puffers, baby-care products, feminine hygiene products, children's activity packages and pet food.
"We have seen many single grandparents caring for several grandchildren. They have struggled with going to do tasks such as getting groceries and supplies, so we find ways to support them," Kolobutin said.
The outreach team also remains present on the streets throughout the city, interacting with people at risk.
The closure of many public spaces during the pandemic has left those without a permament home limited options to find shelter or access to restrooms.
Juanita Lawson, CEO of NorWest Community Health Centres, said "Places they would normally access are no longer available. Our team is interacting with individuals daily, trying to address urgent needs, handing out water, snacks, personal hygiene items and emergency supplies to stay healthy."
The outreach team is currently responding to about 125 clients a week.
To date it has provided support to 517 adults and 221 children, thanks to donations from the community to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.
