Northern Lights recipient – Calgary East Indian Organization

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Location: Calgary, Alberta

The COVID-19 pandemic has many volunteer organizations scrambling to connect with the community. For the Calgary East Indian Organization (CEIO), moving online is helping to ensure volunteers can continue to help those in need. CEIO offers a range of supports to Calgarians and is using its online platform to not only deliver programs, but to fundraise and share information to support those programs and their clients.

Supported by a crowdfunding campaign with the organization’s 8,000 members, CEIO has been able to offer its COVID-19 Grocery Aid Program that has assisted a culturally and ethnically diverse group of 20 low-income families. CEIO has also helped promote 30 local businesses, increasing visibility and sales during challenging economic times.

The organization has also hosted free online webinars to share information and answer questions on government COVID support programs. Recognizing the impacts of isolation on mental health, CEIO has also initiated online activities to keep community members engaged.