Japanese Canadian Survivors Health & Wellness Fund Society Update
Happy New Year to You and Your Family
Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu
明けましておめでとうございます
Dear Japanese Canadian community,
With the new year, we can reflect and report on the status of The Japanese Canadian Survivors Health and Wellness Fund Society and our operating plan going forward. We must apologize and explain the delayed opening of the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health and Wellness Fund.
健康福祉基金のお申込み開始が遅れておりますことを心よりお詫び申し上げます。
We are deeply sorry for the delay in the opening of the application of the Health and Wellness Fund.
Kenko-Fukushi-Kikin no Omoushikomikaishiga Okureteorimasukotowo
Kokoroyori Owabimoushiagemasu.
Many in the Japanese Canadian (JC) community have been asking about the status of the Survivors Health and Wellness Fund or thought that they missed the opportunity to apply. We are working diligently to improve the online application system and develop a communication and operating plan to reach more Survivors to inform them of the grants that will be available to apply for soon. The grant application has not opened yet, but our commitment to open in early 2024 remains.
Unfortunately, there have been several setbacks, and these impacted the opening of the Survivors Health & Wellness Fund. We (Board and staff) are equally frustrated at the status; significant changes have occurred to turn things around with the sole objective of making this happen as quickly as possible. Behind the scenes, we are actively trying to reach more Survivors to inform them of the grants. We continue to work diligently to ensure that the online application system meets the needs of the grants program and applicants. This includes capturing the necessary Survivor information in a way that is easy and efficient, as well as making sure that the information is secure and protected. We knew that we needed to supplement our skeleton staff to help with Survivor outreach. As of December 2023, staff to support Survivors submitting their applications were onboarded. These Outreach Workers are quickly getting up to speed for the launch. More information will follow on the regional Outreach Workers and the process to outreach to JC communities.
We understand that there are many Japanese Canadian Survivors who didn’t know nor apply for Grant 1 ($650) in 2021. When the 2024 Survivors Health and Wellness Fund opens, Survivors who did not receive a grant in 2021 will be able to apply for Grant 1 ($650) and in addition all eligible Survivors will be able to apply for another grant stream (Grant 2) to support their out-of-pocket health and wellness expenses. The application process will be for both the Grant 1 ($650) and the new health and wellness support grant (Grant 2). One cheque per applicant will be disbursed.
Please check our website jcwellness.org regarding the grants, their amounts, eligibility criteria, and frequently asked questions.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I sincerely appreciate your continued patience as we develop a robust and efficient application process with the necessary support and respect that our Japanese Canadian Survivors deserve. If you have any comments or concerns on the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health and Wellness Fund, please feel free to contact me directly.
– Joanne Miyazaki, Executive Director, JCSHWFS
Direct phone: 437.855.9750
Email: joanne.miyazaki@jcwellness.org
Website: www.jcwellness.org