COVID-19 Programs and Resources
In light of the ongoing pandemic, through funding delivered by the United Way, as facilitated in part by the Government of Canada, the Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA) received the capacity to provide covid-relief services to the Afro-Caribbean community located in the York Region.
These services are intentionally curated to support members of the Afro-Caribbean community at the point of their need. Through outreach and strategic partnerships, with for instance, the York Region District School Board, the York Region Food Network, the YMCA, SmartSaver, the Health for All Family Health Team, and various local community organizers, MACCA was able to source, assemble, and distribute 100 non-perishable food item and resource baskets, filled to the brim with goods culturally familiar to the Afro-Caribbean community, grocery gift cards, as well as pertinent information for navigating Canadian social assistance systems.
To date, MACCA has also planned and implemented three meal drives for the community in partnership with the Jerk Pimento Food Truck, Island Mix Restaurant & Lounge, and Tropicana Caribbean Cuisine. Not only did the MACCA team affect its mandate to support black-businesses during this pivotal season, but through the meal drives, 160 free Caribbean meals were given away to the community. In the month of December, MACCA has also distributed winter clothing and natural hair products through the kind collaborations of the Bargains Group, EarthTone Naturals and Love & Beauty Supplies. In the new year, MACCA plans to continue affecting needs for food security while also taking strategic steps to meaningfully coordinate supports that will have a positive impact on black mental health in the York Region. Furthermore, MACCA will be organizing workshops aimed at promoting financial wellness among black low income families.
For more information on MACCA’s community-building activities in 2021, please send an email to [email protected].