COVID-19 Resources
The Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association, along with individual Friendship Centres, are responding to the public health crisis surrounding COVID-19 in a way that best manages reduced risks for local programs, supports and community needs.
Download resources for:
COVID-19 & Homelessness: Information for Friendship Centres
People experiencing homelessness often have underlying heath conditions and are unable to implement public health recommendations due to social and economic circumstances. For these reasons, those experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing complications due to COVID-19.
Services that support people experiencing homelessness, including Friendship Centres, have an increased risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. Measures must be in place to control and prevent an outbreak.
- Screen community members for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival to the Centre or Mat Program. Download the ANFCA Homelessness Screening document.
- Implement infection prevention and control strategies on several levels including: environmental, staff/volunteers, food handling and community members. Download the ANFCA Infection & Control instructional document.
- Provide safe opportunities for self-isolation (determined through screening). Assess your Friendship Centre to accommodate isolation spaces and collaborate with Public Health, other relevant Community Agencies and the Municipality to secure spaces for isolation as well as to determine a plan for operation. Download the ANFCA Isolating in a Friendship Centre instructional document.
FEDERAL SUPPORT THAT MAY BENEFIT FRIENDSHIP CENTRES
Government of Canada’s Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) includes the following program:
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Friendship Centres may be eligible for CEBA. CEBA provides credit to pay for immediate operating costs including payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, property tax or debt service. Under CEBA, financial institutions will be able to provide interest-free credit facilities of up to $40,000. If the loan is repaid by Dec 31, 2022, 25% (up to $10,000) will be forgiven.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) can assist with accessing federal funding and other available services to assist Friendship Centres navigate COVID-19 related funding/support.
Talk to an advisor at Business Link to get free advice, coaching and information on COVID-19 resources and supports.
Phone: 780-422-7722
Toll Free: 1-800-272-9675
TTY: 1-800-457-8466 (for the deaf and hard of hearing)
To apply for BCAP, Friendship Centres should contact their primary lender.
SUPPORTS THAT ARE COMING SOON …
Government of Canada: Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
This program could benefit Friendship Centres who are renting out spaces to small business or beneficial for Friendship Centres that are renting spaces, as it could lower rent by 75%.
To be eligible, organization must have had to temporarily cease operations or have experienced at least a 70% drop in pre-COVID revenues. Is it not yet clear how this eligibility criteria will apply to Friendship Centres.
Western Economic Diversification Canada: Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
This new fund will help organizations and communities relieve the economic impact of COVID-19 and help businesses prepare for recovery. The RRRF will provide struggling small businesses with financial support, offer technical aid and resources and support local economic diversification initiatives.
For more information, click here.
National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association: Funding for Small and Medium-Sized Indigenous Businesses
On April 18, 2020, the Federal Government announced $306.8 million in funding to support indigenous businesses. More details are to come, click here for more information.