Senior Living Sector Employees Receive Support From The CaRES Fund

The Fund provides emergency relief in recognition of the extraordinary efforts of senior living employees

TORONTO, July 7, 2020 /CNW/ - Today the Senior Living CaRES Fund (The CaRES Fund) is pleased to announce it has awarded more than 400 employees in the senior living sector over $1.8 million in emergency financial assistance. The fund received its first applications in May and within two months, has received over 1,200 applications.

The CaRES Fund was created by Chartwell Retirement Residences, Revera Inc., Extendicare and Sienna Senior Living to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of senior living employees across the country. In their applications, employees spoke of the tremendous sacrifices they've made, as a result of COVID-19, like moving out of their home to reduce risk to vulnerable family members, homeschooling children while balancing work, and becoming the primary provider for their family when a spouse was laid-off.

Despite these hardships, employees spoke of their love for the senior living communities where they work and the residents they support. Employees even shared the applications with co-workers, highlighting the shared sense of solidarity in the sector. The CaRES Fund intends to empower senior living sector employees through COVID-19 and beyond through the establishment of a foundation aimed at continued emergency funding and providing support to employees or their family members to pursue higher education or training.

"Our senior living employees are superheroes. The devastating impacts of COVID-19 not only destabilized senior living employees' work environments, but it also impacted their personal lives," says Hazel McCallion, former mayor of Mississauga and Chief Elder Officer of Revera. "The fund is a testament to the resilience and heroism of our senior living employees, despite circumstances beyond their control."

Facts about the CaRES Fund

• To date, the fund has received over 1,200 applications
• Applicants included personal support workers, registered nurses, registered practical nurses, licenced practical nurses and dietary aides
• 54 per cent of first-round recipients are employed at senior living residences independent of the CaRES founding partners (Chartwell Retirement Residences, Revera Inc., Extendicare and Sienna Senior Living)

Interested senior living sector employees can visit www.seniorlivingcares.ca to apply.

About The Senior Living CaRES Fund
The Senior Living CaRES Fund is launched as a two-million-dollar fund established by Chartwell Retirement Residences, Revera Inc., Extendicare and Sienna Senior Living. Open to all employees in the sector, and inspired by their dedication and commitment, the CaRES Fund will provide emergency financial assistance to those facing extraordinary circumstances, and build a legacy for future investment to support urgent financial needs and employee education.

SOURCE The Senior Living CaRES Fund