Leila is the Community Wellness Manager for Serpent River First Nation.

Her dedication, long hours to keep our community safe, goes far beyond expectations. Leila is a kind, caring individual who's passion goes above and beyond to help community members that are in need of whatever services they may require. Whether it be to help out with Foodbank initiatives, Assist Elders with daily calls to ensure their well being, providing Meals on Wheels to Elders in need.

She provides the necessary supports to assist community members with their daily living requirements. She is a true role model to the youth of Serpent River First Nation and to her staff. Leila has shown great strength and resilience while being direct and fair in her reporting to community, She has provided the reassurance and confidence that the community members need during this time.

Check out some of the work she's done and stay up to date on the latest news by visiting Serpent River First Nation's Facebook page. 

The Algoma Student Success and Advancement Teams came together to create, launch and execute the Student Emergency Fund campaign aimed at providing much needed support to students who were struggling with unanticipated financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.

The goal of the fund was to provide immediate financial assistance to help in response to the financial hardships students were facing such as:

• Securing food and other essential items (toiletries, sanitizers, medication and health-related supplies, etc.)
• Assisting with housing challenges for those who are self-isolating to protect their loved ones or those directly affected by border closures
• Supplementing income loss due to work layoffs or a decrease in employment hours
• Supporting those who are impacted as a result of the measures implemented by public health officials and government directives issued in response to COVID-19

Addressing mental health challenges is a major issue with university level students and the ability to provide this support was crucial. By addressing the stress brought on by financial concerns, students were better able to focus their energy on their primary goal - academic success.

By June, the fund had provided direct support to 277 students.

To learn more about ways that the university is responding to COVID-19 and staying connected with students, please visit COVID-19 Information & University Updates.

The town has worked non-stop, and continues to find ways to reopen their community safely.

Some highlights include:

• Groceries: Town staff started work early, used their own vehicles to shop for those shut in, isolating, or in quarantine.
• Signage/Promotion: The community created a downtown initiative to provide signage at no cost to all downtown merchants.  signage collaboration with Mississauga First Nation to update trail learning panels with history and teachings in 3 languages
• Accessible Physical Distancing Options for Business Owners: to promote distancing and reduce pressure on restaurant owners, the town placed tables along the river for people to eat. No owners needed to front a cost for patios. successful grant for accessible swing set at town park to further promote inclusive and local outdoor play
  

Whether food delivery, collaborating with merchants, meeting regularly with emergency services, deep cleaning facilities, training staff, finding dynamic ways to deliver expected services, Blind River is the epitome of teamwork while reopening safely. 

They were one of the first organizations in Sault Ste. Marie to provide emergency child care for essential workers

They found new ways to keep the community active through the development of programs such as YMCA at Home and YGym. They safely operated summer daycamps at a time where parents needed childcare in order to return to work. They have since reopened 5 of our 6 childcare centres and were the first YMCA in Ontario to reopen their full facility with enhanced health and safety policies.

Dr. Groh has gone above and beyond since the beginning of the pandemic to keep the Elliot Lake community well informed. She posts on social media, is involved in preparing informational pamphlets to send out to all the residents of Elliot Lake and heads up the COVID assessment team in Elliot Lake.

This local physician, named Region 1 Family Doctor of the year in 2012 has been an advocate this year for disseminating information through all areas of media, print and social. She speaks on her own behalf and has a voice that many listen to in these times of uncertainty.

Throughout the pandemic the Wawa Family Health Team (WFHT) has spread reliable information about COVID-19 sharing numerous posts through their Facebook page about the virus including myth busters and more.

Dr. Shaffaf and Dr. Robinson made YouTube videos to promote people to stay home, how to wear masks and how to stay physically active while physical distancing. Dr. Cotterill provided factual information to be shared on their Facebook page and put out a public announcement to one of the local mines asking them to step up and do their part to stop the spread. Dr. Oberai encouraged clients to get the COVID app. The WFHT also promoted those in the area to wear masks before it was even legislated, posting pictures of members in the area wearing masks to encourage others to do the same.

Check out some of their videos!

In his capacity as Mayor, he has engaged with influential individuals to promote key messages, provided leadership on matters critical to health and engaged in partnerships where joint action was needed. He helps set the norms and standards for our community by promoting and monitoring implementation and articulated evidence-based key messages.

Some examples include:

• Beginning in March, the Mayor created a series of videos that were shared on his social media sites reiterating the importance of staying home.
• In April, the Mayor began ‘Virtual Town Hall’ meetings through Village Media. Readers submitted questions and concerns for the Mayor to address on camera.
• Created a #StayHomeSSM campaign encouraging the community to create a post on who they were staying home for and to tag other people to encourage them to do the same.
• Provided weekly radio updates on local radio stations to continue to amplify public health messages.
• Provided regular statements on the health of the community reminding residents to continue to follow the advice of public health experts regarding the appropriate measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Amplified messages at the start of Council meetings.
• Provided encouragement with positive messages from notable community members who many of us look up to including Doctor Roberta Bondar, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Kyle Dubas, Tanya Kim, Mac and B.J Marcoux, Jordan Hoover, Colin Miller, Marty Turco, Brad Jacobs and Ted Nolan.
• In the Spring when many schools realized graduation would not be possible, Mayor Provenzano provided virtual messages to congratulate graduates on their achievements and reminders about why it was so important to keep up with APH guidelines.
• In July, provided a statement to the community on the new masking orders in the Algoma District encouraging everyone to learn about proper masking instructions. Reiterated his confidence in APH’s judgement and support for masking.

He has demonstrated exemplary community spirit as an ‘Amplifier Champion’ and has helped spread credible information. He used his platforms to amplify preventative messages and actions and increased awareness to motivate people to follow public health recommendations.

Check out some fellow Saultites sending some messages of encouragement!