Delta’s social services was in the spotlight during the latest virtual town hall Thursday.
Hosted by the City of Delta, the session was the sixth put on in conjunction with the Delta police since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Mayor George Harvie was joined by police Chief Neil Dubord and Julie Chadwick, executive director of Deltassist Family & Community Services.
Chadwick said Deltassist is doing its best to ensure that those who are struggling right now are getting services that they need.
“What we are doing right now we are operating the North Delta Food Bank and every dollar that is donated to Deltassist through Canada Helps will make those food dollars go that much further,” she said. “The North Delta Food Bank is being extremely well utilized. We are having new people sign up every day, so those dollars are needed to help keep feeding people.”
Harvie said as part of Delta’s COVID-19 plan, the city is committed to helping Deltassist in any way they can.
“We are working extremely hard with all our community agencies like Deltassist, but also our Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “We have started a program, with the Chamber looking at the ability for Delta businesses people to actually book a time where they can go in and talk with a professional with regards to get financial help. It will be counselling and providing that consulting service through the Chamber.”
On counselling services provided through Deltassist, Chadwick said all of their programs are still in place and operating.
“They are being provided through phone or through a secure on-line platform,” she said. “In addition to that, we have started the COVID counselling service, which are six, free sessions where people can call into and speak with a counsellor, talk about the stress and anxiety that people are experiencing with being inside, having your kids at home, so this is just another service we are providing to the community.”
Starting next week, Deltassist is offering a pair of free online workshops open to anyone in the community who needs help strengthening their emotional well-being.
In Emotion-Focused Coping & Communication Skills, participants will learn about emotions, how to cope more effectively and how to improve relationships.
The workshop will be offered from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays from April 28 to May 19.
In Emotion-Focused Parenting & Caregiving Skills, participants will learn how to support their child or loved one, both emotionally and behaviourally.
That workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays from April 30 to May 21.
For more information or to register, contact Ravin at 604-992-2992 or [email protected].
Deltassist is available to assist. For more information on any of their programs and services call 604-594-3455 or 604-946-9526 or email: [email protected].
