Supporting safe community gatherings

By Janet Kanters, Editor

Alberta’s government is investing $1 million to help faith-based and cultural organizations recover costs associated with COVID-19 so they can continue to play a social, cultural and spiritual role in communities.

Places of worship are not typically eligible for existing pandemic response funding, and have faced reduced donations and rental revenue, and increased costs for cleaning and facility changes to allow for physical distancing and increased ventilation. The new Faith-based and Cultural Facility Relaunch Grant fills the gap in funding to ensure these organizations can continue to serve their communities.

“As a non-profit Christian based church, we are continuously ministering to vulnerable communities and trying to help deal with the mental and spiritual pain people are suffering with,” said Pastor Elizabeth Karp with Strathmore’s Harvest Healing Centre Church. “There has been a definite increase in the needs of people and the isolation has been extremely difficult. Being able to continue to give people a safe environment of support is vital during these times. 

“I am truly grateful for the support of our provincial government in recognizing the difficulties and expenses involved for our faith-based communities and extending financial aid to make sure our communities stay safe.”

Organizations can apply for up to $5,000 per facility to offset the costs incurred to follow public health measures. Eligible expenses include PPE, cleaning supplies and services, contactless dispensers, translation and printing services for health-related signage, small facility space changes to allow for physical distancing and increased ventilation, and technology upgrades for online delivery of services.

This one-time grant will cover costs incurred from April 1, 2020 to March 1, 2021. Applications will be processed following the first deadline of Dec. 15 and after the program closes on March 1, 2021, to ensure organizations that have already incurred costs related to COVID-19 can be reimbursed as quickly as possible.

“The ability to gather for worship and connect with our communities is critical for our mental health and well-being,” said Leela Sharon Aheer, Chestermere-Strathmore MLA and Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women.  “The Faith-based and Cultural Facility Grant will help ensure these organizations can continue to give back to their communities, host gatherings and celebrate important holidays while following public health guidelines.”