Vibrant Communities Charlotte County

CMHA New Brunswick has some new webinars in the next 2 weeks! To see what's coming check out their calendar: https://cmhanb.ca/events/ You can also watch past webinars: https://cmhanb.ca/category/webinars/

211 NB is here to help 24/7/365! As New Brunswick navigates the second wave of COVID-19, people who need support are often unsure where to turn. Whether it is help accessing food, mental health supports, or other non-emergency programs and services in your community, simply dial 2-1-1.

We're proud of the many volunteers, organizations, businesses and individuals across Charlotte County and NB who have helped people access life's essentials during this challenging time. Let's keep building on that good work!

Looking for the right help but don't know who to call? 211 is now active in New Brunswick! "People who dial 211 will be connected with a community navigator, who will direct the caller to the services they need. Services include food security, mental health support, housing, and home care." https://www.cbc.ca//canada/new-br/211-help-line-1.5767070

We are very excited to see 211 become a reality in New Brunswick! "211 NB, a free, bilingual, confidential resource to help New Brunswickers navigate the network of community, social, non-clinical health and government services was launched [yesterday] by the provincial government in partnership with the federal government and the United Way." https://www2.gnb.ca//en/news/news_release.2020.10.0532.html

The CMHA of NB is offering many free workshops and webinars online. To find out about what is being offered more regularly, follow their page or fill the form below :)

It's Hunger Action Month: Great initiative from St George & Area Food Bank - get out and take action towards hunger in your community and win a massage!

This week our featured organization is the Volunteer Centre of Charlotte County Inc. Find out a little bit more what they do and how they have been helping the community: " Being in a food bank is for the most part heartwarming however using a food bank for many is still not a choice, rather a last resort "

This week's Feature comes from Blacks Harbour School's Creating Possibilites project! "By fostering community partnerships, Blacks Harbour School has been able to offer free-of-cost Literacy & Numeracy Enhancement Summer Camps and After School Programming to many deserving children..."

Here's a handy graphic to help you understand what Government services your vote impacts - it's always good to know what you're voting for! (Thanks Saint John Human Development Council for putting this together!)

This week's featured organization: Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County: "Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life."

This week we're featuring the St. Croix Wellness & Renewal Centre! Read about how they've been making connections with senior wellness and the impact it's been having! This program should make front page headlines! And needs to serve as a prototype throughout the province.

This week's Feature is the St George & Area Food Bank! Read about their new social enterprise initiative with another amazing organization, the Community Living Center. "...One of the things we hope for is more opportunities to partner with other organizations to bring new, sustainable, and needed resources in Charlotte County.

At Vibrant Communities Charlotte County, we're extremely proud of our communities and partners who are making a difference in people's lives everyday. In the coming weeks and months we will be featuring some of the amazing organizations and initiatives which, over this past year, have definitely made Charlotte County a more Vibrant place to live. STAY TUNED!!

Covid-19 Research NB Social Pediatrics is currently conducting a short, anonymous, online survey to learn more about how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected New Brunswickers and their families. https://www.nbsocialpediatrics.com/study

The Southwest NB Housing Working Group has recently asked for participation in a Southwest NB Municipal Housing survey, for the municipalities of Blacks Harbour, Campobello, Grand Manan, Harvey, McAdam, Saint Andrews, St. George, and St. Stephen. The survey has been mailed out to folks living in those municipalities but it can also be completed online here: http://swnb-housing.ca/index.php/resident-survey/... Please take some time to fill out the survey or help someone who needs help to fill it out (not everyone has access to the technology!). The survey needs representation from everyone in our communities so we can better understand the need! For more information on the project and working group take a look at the website - we hope it will become a good resource for Southwest New Brunswick!

The Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick is offering more free webinars this week: June 8 - 12 (and more in the following weeks) Free mental health live webinars. See the list below and links to register. For a full list of upcoming webinars, visit: https://cmhanb.ca/events/ For past webinars, subscribe to their YouTube channel, CMHA of NB: https://cmhanb.us18.list-manage.com/track/click

Do you usually attend free tax clinics but can’t this year because of COVID-19? Consider using a free virtual tax clinic. Virtual tax clinics, organized throug...h the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, will be available on a temporary basis. Find out if you’re eligible and how to access a virtual tax clinic: http://ow.ly/e5Dv50zF7Xs See more

The Emergency Community Support Fund is available and aims to help charities and non-profit organizations adapt and increase front-line services for vulnerable populations during COVID-19. For Charlotte County the fund is being administered through both the Fundy Community Foundation and the United Way serving Saint John, Kings and Charlotte (please apply through just one) The Red Cross is also able to take applications.

Community partners in Charlotte County recognize the increased risk and disadvantages that many seniors face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, a fund to support the immediate needs of seniors within Charlotte County has been set up by the United Way Saint John, Kings & Charlotte, Vibrant Communities Charlotte County and other community partners, with the support of the Government of Canada New Horizons for Seniors Program. For more info: http://vibrantcc.ca/vulnerable-seniors-support

Good News! Charlotte Dial A Ride and Atlantic Superstore St. Stephen have partnered to provide deliveries at no cost!

Thanks St George & Area Food Bank, for taking such good care of our communities! And to ANYONE finding themselves short in food these days, know you can reach out to your local food bank: they are caring, non-judgmental and glad to help.

Thank-you United Way serving Saint John, Kings and Charlotte!

If you are looking for the current guidance and recommendation from GNB, check out the Community Preparedness page. (It gives info on grocery shopping, volunteering, delivery and taxi service, worker's doing in home services and other things) https://www2.gnb.ca//coronavir/community_preparedness.html

Charlotte Dial A Ride is available to help with delivery of essential goods for folks of Charlotte County in need.

Currently happening right now - still available for you to jump onto the call.

Information: please check out and follow the Guidance for the General Public when Shopping for Essential Food... published by the Government of New Brunswick. https://www2.gnb.ca///pdf/ShoppingEssentialServices-e.pdf

Here's how to make financial donations to our Charlotte County Food Banks. They need us more than ever right now:

Contact info for Gov't services:

Charlotte County! "THE ATLANTIC COMPASSION FUND APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN. Are you a registered charity serving individuals in Saint John, Kings & Charlotte counties AND currently offering essential services such as access to food, housing, medication, transportation, and social and mental supports? If so, you may be eligible for funding through the Atlantic Compassion Fund.... At this time, the fund is designed to help agencies meet short-term emergency needs that are impacting our most vulnerable population due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund aims to compliment, rather than duplicate, any Government-led support. To learn more about the funding criteria and to access the application, visit https://unitedwaysaintjohn.com/apply-for-funding-demande-d/ Thank you for your support and service."

The following update on COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus) was issued today by Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health: Staying home, and maintainin...g social distance, can and will save lives. In an effort to allow 811 health-care professionals to support more people who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, a new online tool to assess symptoms is available. Using this tool will help New Brunswickers determine when they should call the 811 line, which will reduce the volume of calls we have seen from people seeking basic information. Maintaining our blood supply is vital to our health-care system in ordinary circumstances, and these are not ordinary circumstances. Canada Blood Services has alerted us to an urgent need for new donations to maintain supply. Additional screening and social distancing measures are in place, and it is safe to donate blood. This is an important way to make a difference at this critical time. No new presumptive cases of COVID-19 were reported in the province today. There are still 11 cases in New Brunswick: seven confirmed and four presumptive. Premier Blaine Higgs acknowledged front-line workers who are vital to the province’s supply chain and continue to do their jobs during these challenging times. Right now, across this province, people are working hard to ensure that our lives function in as normal a manner as is possible, said Higgs. I want to take a moment to thank all of these dedicated workers on behalf of all New Brunswickers. It is not easy to go to work when many are being told to stay home. I appreciate that you continue to do so. Other information related to the response to the virus includes: Travellers Canadians returning home from other countries must self-isolate for 14 days. If they are returning by air, they should arrange to have a family member drop off a vehicle at the airport if possible. They must not go to the grocery store when they return, but instead arrange to have someone pick up groceries before they arrive home and continue to do so during the 14 days of isolation. Employers and employees Employers and employees have responsibilities under the state of emergency. Health and safety at work is especially important in these times. Employers need to take precautionary measures to reduce the level of exposure: practice good workplace hygiene; and allow workers to work remotely if possible. In addition to the recommendations put in place, Public Health is preparing a questionnaire that employers can use to screen workers, customers and other members of the public before they enter. Anyone with questions or concerns about employers who are not complying with these recommendations should contact WorkSafeNB. Business Declaring a state of emergency in our province has resulted in a lot of calls about what can stay open and what must close. Businesses that are open must take precautions to keep their workers safe. This includes social distancing, providing a clean working environment, and any other precautions needed to keep workers healthy and safe. An interpretative guideline to provide clarification of the Declaration of a State of Emergency and Mandatory Order and how it is applied to various businesses and functions is available online. Businesses with questions should contact: [email protected], call the Business Navigator line at 1-833-799-7966, or consult the COVID-19 page specifically for businesses. WorkSafeNB WorkSafeNB is deferring premiums for businesses for three months. Business property taxes Though business property taxes must be paid by May 31, late penalties will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to see if the penalty can be waived due to undue financial challenges, such as having to close a business due to COVID-19. Critical sector adjustment committees The Department of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour is creating critical sector adjustment committees to help minimize the impact felt by any closures and is working with companies to mitigate impacts felt in affected regions of the province. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency The province is working with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to come up with a comprehensive plan to ensure any issues businesses may face during this time are addressed. Service New Brunswick Service New Brunswick provides more than 400 services to the public on behalf of other government departments and agencies. The majority of these can be done online and through Teleservices, however, some essential services cannot be done online or over the phone. On Monday, March 23, a limited number of Service New Brunswick centres will reopen for essential transactions only that cannot be done online or by phone. Customers will be screened before entering and if their transaction is not essential, or can be done online or by phone, they will not be permitted to enter. The list of essential services that will be offered at the service centres is listed on the Service New Brunswick website. Student loans Earlier this week, the federal government announced a six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada student loans. This will also be the case for provincial student loans. Social Development Social workers continue to provide essential services to protect children and adults. The department is taking all precautions to ensure the safety of its employees and the public. The public should continue to inform Social Development of any situation that causes concern for the safety of children or adults at 1-800-442-9799. Federal measures The federal government has announced temporary income support for workers and parents without paid sick leave as well as longer-term income support for workers. Low- and modest-income families which may require additional financial help may apply for a one-time special payment through a GST credit. Families with children will be eligible for increased Canada Child Benefit payment amounts. For more information on these federal measures: Canada Revenue Agency Accounts and Payments (individuals): 1-800-959-8281 (English); 1-800-959-7383 (French). Canada Revenue Agency Accounts and Payments (business): 1-800-959-5525 (English); 1-800-959-7775 (French). Child Benefit and GST credit: 1-800-387-1193 (English); 1-800-387-1194 (French). Employment Insurance (EI): To apply for EI benefits, visit their website. After that, individuals may apply to have the one-week waiting period waived by calling the government's toll-free number at 1-833-381-2725, or teletypewriter at 1-800-529-3742. Emergency care benefit and emergency support benefit: Both benefit plans will be open for application in April, through the Canada Revenue Agency website. Business financing / liquidity: Finance Canada general enquiries: 1-613-369-3710; [email protected]. Export Development Canada general line: 1-800-229-0575. Business Development Bank of Canada general line: 1-877-232-2269; [email protected]. https://www2.gnb.ca//en/news/news_release.2020.03.0144.html

A limited number of Service New Brunswick centres will reopen on Monday, March 23, for essential services only. However, to help ensure the safety of staff and ...the public, New Brunswickers are urged not to visit a centre unless necessary. Customers are urged to go online as their first option. The number of customers allowed into the centres at one time will be restricted and customers will be expected to use social distancing from other customers and staff. Cash payments will not be accepted. Customers looking to receive non-essential services will not be permitted to enter. All licences, registrations, certificates and permits issued by the Province of New Brunswick (drivers’ licences, motor-vehicle inspections, and vehicle registrations) valid as of March 16, 2020, will remain valid until May 31, 2020, so those transactions will not be available at the service centres. This does not include those suspended by a court or by other authority under an act of the provincial government. However, vehicle registration renewals are one of the hundreds of services that can be completed online at any time. Service New Brunswick is continuing to work on a plan to safely open more centres in the coming weeks. In the meantime, customers are encouraged stay home and to check what services can be conducted online. TeleServices is also available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-762-8600. The new operational hours for these locations will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday. There will be no Saturday hours. The centres that will reopen on Monday are: Campbellton Bathurst Miramichi Moncton Saint John St. Stephen Woodstock Fredericton Edmundston The essential services that will be available are: motor vehicle transfers; road test for class 1/3/4 licences only; International Fuel Tax Agreement Decal applications; Medicare Application for Registration, replacement cards or renewals; Family Support payments; Request for Divorce certificate; fine payments after court date/due date; IRP transactions (International Registration Plan) transit markers; Restoration of Driving Privileges application; rent payments (only those ordered to be paid at Service New Brunswick by the Residential Tenancies Tribunal); vital statistics: marriage licences (only for marriages scheduled up until April 30, 2020); housing loan and rental payments (Social Development); and damage deposit payments (Social Development). Services not available at the centres because they can either be done online or are not considered an essential service include: fine payments (before court/due date); water/sewer payments; property tax payments; driver abstracts; motor vehicle renewals (can be completed online and by phone); parking placards lottery permits/licences; written driver tests; driver road tests (tests available for commercial licences only); technical inspections (can be done online); security deposit payment; birth, death, marriage certificate applications (can be done online); Customers are reminded that a majority of services are online and that payments are fully secure. For services not offered online or currently at the centres, there are other options. For example, there are multiple ways to pay property taxes including: the customer’s financial institution through online banking, telephone banking, or the automated teller machine (ATM); by mail to Finance and Treasury Board, P.O. Box 100, Fredericton, NB, E3B 1B0. Write your property account number on the cheque and make it payable to the Minister of Finance; or sign up for the Equalized Payment Plan - a convenient voluntary payment plan that allows eligible homeowners to pay their annual property tax in 12 equal monthly payments without incurring a penalty. https://www2.gnb.ca//en/news/news_release.2020.03.0145.html

Web source for today's Government of Canada announcement for the Economic Response Plan for Canadians and Businesses: https://www.canada.ca//departm/economic-response-plan.html

In this time of changes and challenges due to COVID-19, it is so amazing to see our communities show care and support! "If you or someone in your community needs a little extra support while we face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, please reach out to the Charlotte County Community Helping Group" Be safe, and protect yourself and others from getting sick and follow Government of New Brunswick recommendations and health precautions, like proper hand-washing and social distancing. For more or up-to-date information, check: www.gnb.ca/coronavirus; or follow them on their Facebook page at Government of New Brunswick.

Common Front Commun NB is doing something right in it's advertising campaign that "aims to counter the most common myths and prejudices against people in poverty". Follow their campaign as they highlight amazing NBer's who challenge the assumptions so often made.

VCCC is looking for community members who are interested in joining our board and making Charlotte County a better place for everyone to live! For more information: http://vibrantcc.ca/board-opportunity or contact Raymond Funk: [email protected] 506-321-2297.

Public Dialogue tonight in St. Stephen! "This event is a public discussion, which invites all residents to share their lived experiences and their thoughts to foster a community where every person feels valued, heard and that they belong. Hosted by Nadine Duguay-Lemay, CEO of Dialogue New Brunswick, this Public Dialogue will give the floor to 4 residents of St.Stephen: - Ammar SAÏD, settled refugee from Syria - Marilyn SMITH, retired professional... - Yuna PARK, entrepreneur newcomer - Hillary RUSSEL, youth, French immersion student Their stories and reflections will be followed by a dialogue with attendees to enable everyone to ask questions and share their thoughts and ideas to build a stronger living together."

November is Financial Literacy Month - (who knew)! This weeks top tip: 'Start with a Budget!' Here are a number of ways to start: ... https://www.canada.ca//financial/services/make-budget.html See more

So many ways we can volunteer to give back to our community!

Do you like bringing people together over food? From Nov. 1-10, make your meal mean more during #TheBigSocial. Sign up to host, set a fundraising goal + invite your friends to donate to @aplaceforfood's healthy food programs. It's a no-brainer! www.bigsocial.ca

Tomorrow evening at the Stella Maris Community Center, 4-7pm!

Get out and VOTE today! Looking for some last minute insights as you head to your polling station today? Community Food Centres Canada put together a quick comparison of how our party's would work to make an impact for Canadian's struggling with poverty and food insecurity: https://cfccanada.ca//Election-2019-How-the-platforms-stac

Have you had your say on the Province's next poverty reduction strategy? Take 10 minutes to share your perspective and influence how poverty is addressed in your community.

Overcoming Poverty Together-Ensemble pour vaincre la pauvreté GET YOUR PIECE OF THE #MONEYPIE It’s Income Tax Time and You Have a Modest Income? Take Advantage... of a Free Tax Clinic in Your Area! For help preparing your income tax and benefit return, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program #CVITP may be able to assist you. This free program is available to those with modest incomes and simple tax situations. For more information about this program, or to find your nearest clinic go to: www.canada.ca//individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax- When you file your annual income tax and benefit return, you may be eligible to receive benefits or credits, which could include the: -GST/HST credit -Canada Child Benefit -School Supplement benefit -Healthy Smiles, Clear Vision -Canada Learning Bond #CVITP Cette publication est disponible en français

The Board of Directors of The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation(ESIC) invite you to help renew Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunsw...ick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan Input from citizens, non-profits, businesses and all levels of government will help New Brunswick collectively develop a focused strategy that will support the improved quality of life of our family, our communities and our province. The survey, discussion paper and details on public dialogues are available at www.NBTogether.ca or by calling 1-888-295-4545. We hope you take the time to contribute; we are all better when we work together!

Let's all have a voice in shaping our communities.....

How did you start your week? I had lunch with 127 amazing seniors in Charlotte County! Thanks for inviting me to come talk with you all... What an amazing group of people!

What an opportunity!!!

Check this contest out!

Congratulations to Mr. Andrew Jones on Grand Manan for the 2018 Minister’s Excellence Award! Well Deserved. https://youtu.be/YgqAGRaAwgs

IMPORTANT! Please read. Please share. The Open Door will be open on Wednesday, December 12 between 1 and 3 pm at the Wesley United Church (77 William St.). Th...is is our pre-holiday distribution date so we’ll have lots of extras for our clients including extra PC Gift Cards, toys from the local paramedic toy drive, our Sweet and Warm items AND the NB Food Bank Association will be here with a truck and some wonderful surprises! We will have volunteer drivers available as well. It’s a big day for the Open Door and we want to thank everyone involved for making the holiday magic happen right here in St. Andrews! Both existing and new clients are welcome. If you’re in need, your community wants to help. Thank you! #OpenDoor #StAndrews #community #grateful See more

The poverty line for one parent with one child is $28,884.

Mr. Cheney, I found a couple of your students at the Superstore today collecting food for the food bank... as part of their English project! The grade 8 Students at SSMS are finding ways of impacting their community all while learning to email, market ideas and do presentations. Way to go girls... you definitely deserve an A!!

Our Grade 8 students at SSMS are doing some amazing community projects for their English class. Shout out to Josh Cheney for being an innovative teacher. I had the privilege of sharing with this class last week, and I can't wait to see what they accomplish! Check out Project "Holly Jolly!" Way to go girls...

2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG). Since 1998, approximately 6.04 million children have received 11.5 billion dollars in CESG to help make post-secondary education more accessible.

NewsBreak26: Highlights from the pink carpet at Chics For A Cause Gala 2018; St. Stephen sells out Canada vs USA game at World Under-17 Hockey Challenge; Andrea... Anderson-Mason is optimistic for Premier Blaine Higgs. Plus, a private cooking lesson package from Chef Christian Jakob Aerni gets $7,000 live auction bid at Huntsman fundraiser. See more

Thank you CHCO!

Vibrant Communities Charlotte County and Southwest NB Transit Authority (Rural Lynx) partnered together to hold a transportation forum in St. Andrews today. Such great energy and innovation. Thanks to everyone who came!

Attention Young Farmers! Funding is available through the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries for producers to attend Agricultural Excellence in Winnipeg, Manitoba this November 26th to 28th, 2018. Farm Management Canada has developed a guide to help interested producers work through the application. Please see below for link. Space is limited, make sure to get your registration in! Don't want to apply for funding? No problem! The Agricultural Excellence Conference offers various registration price points from farmers, to non-profits, to students!

Just finished a great meeting on Grand Manan! Exciting things happening! ... I had to show off the island before we left. #ilovecharlottecounty

Already enjoying Cultivating Conversations in St. George today!

Good morning! We are looking forward to gathering today to hear from and collaborate with individuals and organizations working to improve food security in New Brunswick! See you there!

The deadline to register for our Cultivating Conversations Food Forum is tomorrow! This is a great opportunity to hear from speakers from across our beautiful province talk about food education, skills, and our agricultural potential. Hope to see you there! (Please register at our eventbrite page if you plan on attending.)

I’m about to share some of the amazing initiatives happening in Charlotte County to over 300 people across Canada. #CharlotteCountyProud

I stopped into Charlotte County Adult Learning’s NEW location in St. Stephen (49 King St). What a fantastic place... AND these ladies are pretty amazing too! Stop by, ask questions... it’s never too late to learn! -Joy