Resource Updates: Supports for Single Moms and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Even before COVID-19, a significant number of single mothers across the province already struggled to make ends meet while trying to ensure their children get a good start in life. Many single-mother-led families were already facing the challenges that we’ve seen increase with the pandemic, such as housing insecurity, lack of child care, or trying to put food on the table. Now with hundreds of thousands facing loss of income, single moms are at risk of falling through the cracks.
With school closures and the inability to rely on grandparents or friends for child care, many single mothers - especially those who work in front-line jobs - are unable to work. Those who can work from home must balance work and homeschooling without support from a partner. Single mothers with young kids who don’t have the option to leave their kids at home to go grocery shopping have reported being shamed and judged when shopping with their kids. And the list of challenges goes on and on.
Supporting single mothers has always been at the forefront of YWCA Metro Vancouver’s work. With this in mind, we are gathering a list of resources to help single-mother-led families during these extremely challenging times. Our aim is to help them continue to feel supported, informed and connected.
Financial Supports
-
Our team has put together a blog that includes financial supports specifically relevant to single mothers: COVID-19: Financial Supports for Women and Their Families.
-
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – Here’s a summary of what you need to know about this benefit.
-
Government Financial Supports – Here’s another summary of financial supports compiled by North Vancouver, Lonsdale, MLA.
Internet
-
If wi-fi affordability is an issue, Telus has expanded their Internet for Good program to families on income assistance or disability assistance for a monthly cost of $9.95. Check out their website for eligibility and how to apply.
Food/Other Community Supports
-
Canask.ca - For urgent needs only: fill out a simple form to request an item.
-
Quest Food Exchange - Their program focuses on the redistribution of quality surplus food, primarily through their Not-For-Profit Grocery Market model.
-
Greater Vancouver Food Bank - Register online and find the location nearest you.
-
Coming Together – This site connects neighbours looking for help to those giving help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
COVID-19 Vancouver map – This map shows the latest emergency food services and community supports available
Support for Single Mothers and Families
-
During these difficult times, community bonds have never been more important. YWCA Single Mothers’ Support Services are operating regularly; our support groups continue to meet online and our Family Resource Workers are available for individual support over the phone, text or email.
-
Family Support Institute (@familysupportinstitute on Facebook) has moved their supports to work remotely and are offering peer-to-peer family support is an opportunity for live video contact where you can share, listen, learn, and connect with families facing similar challenges, fears and questions.
-
Many neighbourhood houses and family support centres have people working remotely, so if you were already connected somewhere, check with your local agency to see what services you can access from home.
Resources on Dealing with Family Matters and Courts during COVID-19
-
Our Violence Prevention programs and Legal Education team put together a resource to help families navigate urgent family matters in provincial court during the COVID-19 crisis. Check out the blog or download the PDF.
-
Don’t know what to do about your existing family order? Visit the Government of BC Webpage | or download the YWCA PDF created by our staff lawyer.
-
Apply for legal aid by phone through the province-wide call centre.
-
Tips about how to manage co-parenting during COVID-19.
Self-Care
Self-care has never been more important than it is right now. There are a lot of great resources out there from online meditations to yoga, hobbies or projects that we can take on to help address some of the extra anxiety or stress you have.
-
Calm, a website and app offering meditations, yoga, sleep stories, music, etc., has compiled this great list for free.
-
If you’re interested in doing a fitness class from home, YWCA Health + Fitness is offering online classes, available to all.
Kids and Parenting
This is a challenging time and experts agree that the most important thing is that kids feel safe and loved. Try to not put too much pressure on yourself.
There are many helpful resources online to support children with activities and games. You can run a search on Pinterest or your preferred search engine according to your children’s age. Here are some great links to get you started:
-
Simple graphics to help to explain what COVID-19 is to kids.
-
125 ideas to keep kids entertained during the COVID-19 crisis.
-
A daily plan of activities for toddlers/preschoolers.
-
Audible is offering free children's books, read aloud, while children are off school, or check out these online stories read by celebrities.
-
Check out these free virtual tours and sightseeing ideas from YWCA Hotel.
This resources blog will be updated frequently; check back often for the most up-to-date information.
We hope you and your families are keeping well and staying safe during the pandemic.
Contributors: Jenn Bateman, Natasha Evdokimoff, Pat Shannon, Jessica West, Heiky Kwan, Marina Arnaud
