Supporting Vulnerable Ontarians
For generations, Jewish community agencies have provided life-changing and life-saving social services for families within and beyond the Jewish community. Local community non-profits, including those operated by ethnocultural communities, are essential partners in Ontario’s efforts to support society’s most vulnerable.
With just a few clicks you can write to your local candidates about Jewish community priority issues.
Safeguarding Culturally Appropriate Long-Term Care
Jewish Ontarians have worked tirelessly to make Ontario a great province in which to live and grow old. They deserve to age in dignity within their communities.
Ethnocultural long-term care homes, like Hillel Lodge in Ottawa, are key parts of Ontario’s long-term care system and provide seniors with culturally appropriate care.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed several systemic challenges facing long-term care in our province, including the sustainability of culturally appropriate care.
Many seniors have been placed into facilities that are mismatched to their cultural, religious, and dietary needs. Facilities addressing the needs of specific groups have been hollowed out, leaving long waitlists of people unable to access the culturally appropriate care they need.
Prioritizing the matching of clients to culturally appropriate long-term care spaces, even in times of crisis, will ensure the system operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, with seniors receiving the support and care they need to live in dignity.
Question For The Candidates
Will your party safeguard the sustainability and accessibility of culturally appropriate long–term care and ensure admissions policies more effectively prioritize culturally appropriate care?
Fighting Food Insecurity
Poverty in the Jewish community has been on the rise in Ontario for decades. One of the most concerning trends is food insecurity amongst Jewish seniors in Ontario who are unable to access affordable kosher food.
There are approximately 650 households living in poverty being served kosher meals on wheels by the Bernard Betel Centre in Toronto, with a waitlist of more than 500 households still hoping to have this basic need met.
While we hope the worst of the pandemic is behind us, the challenge of food insecurity remains for thousands of Ontarians in the Jewish and other ethnocultural communities throughout the province.
Research has shown that ethnocultural service agencies can deliver programming and support that accesses the most vulnerable in their communities, ensuring fewer Ontarians fall through the cracks. They also provide food that people will eat, in line with religious dietary restrictions and cultural sensitivities.
Question For The Candidates
Will your party provide support to ethnocultural meals on wheels programs to help address food insecurity for the most vulnerable?