Caremonger's Whitby - a team of volunteers making a difference during COVID-19

Niki Lundquist recognized the unprecedented social and economic upheaval (for most people) and that rapid response was going to be needed in Whitby due to COVID-19. Niki decided to create a Caremongers chapter in Whitby. There are many chapters, and they are all autonomous and operate differently.

Niki connected with the community, putting a call out to everyone she could think of and asked for help. The goal was simple, to do everything they could to alleviate the harm caused by the pandemic by providing direct aid to anyone in need, to do it safely and without judgment. The team were prepared to morph into whatever was needed and they did. They provide urgent assistance for food, for clothing, for protective gear (masks, sanitizer, wipes) and other necessities. When it was clear a larger community response was needed, Niki and her team held food drives and raised money for organisations (over $30,000) that were also directly providing for unmet need. As isolation and sadness seemed to be such a significant part of this new reality, Caremongers Whitby held art challenges to send messages of hope, gratitude and connection, they arranged for entertainment outside of senior’s home and have spent countless hours connecting, checking in on people, finding them the things or supports they need. Perhaps most importantly, they provide hope to people. Residents from across Whitby - from the rural North, the town centre, East, West and to the lake, come to the Caremongers Whitby page and see that the team of volunteers have built a community with a mission to support our community.