Town of Bridgewater - LOCAL HELP -- Community groups & programs during COVID-19

As part of our efforts to assist the residents of Bridgewater and the greater surrounding area during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the assistance of the HUB we are sharing the following list of provincial service organizations and local community organizations and program and service providers and their operational/service capacity during this unique time, described as Tier 2 services.

You may also wish to consider visiting the 211NS online page, which you can find by clicking here.

If you are a representative of such an orgnaization and wish to provide an update on your status, you can do so by contacting the Town of Bridgewater directly. To do so via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Tier 2 services being provided locally during the COVID-19 pandemic are as follows, in alphabetical order:

Please note, this list will be updated regularly as additional information is received.
LAST UPDATED: March 22, 2020

AA Meetings:

This is a list of A.A. meetings that have been temporarily cancelled at the Bridgewater Anglican Church on Alexander Street/Bridgewater:
- One day at a time group ( Tuesdays )
- Action Group ( Wednesdays )
- Back to basics Group ( Fridays )
Fellowship Group (Wednesdays & Fridays) Shelburne
Lahave Group (Thurs & Sat ) St. Paul's Church. Phoenix St. Bridgewater
Mayday ( a one day get together for AA/Al-anon members and friends, that attracted 200 people last year ) has also been cancelled

Autism Nova Scotia:

Autism Nova Scotia is offering a NEW online/over the phone social program to help provide social opportunities for teens and adults with autism during Public Health Canada's recommended social distancing period
This program is open to teens and adults with autism across Nova Scotia
First planned Virtual Club is taking place next Wednesday, March 25
- For more information: http://www.autismnovascotia.ca/program/70
- To register, you can visit: https://forms.gle/FE5ia5S57rLkQpeW6

Bridgewater Justice Centre

At this time the Courts are open
Working with the judiciary to triage urgent cases and adjourning non urgent cases
Reduce the walk-in traffic into the courthouse
Verbally screening the public entering the building for symptom
Encouraging the public to communicate by phone 902 543-4679
Eventually doors may close to the public as a precautionary measure and to reduce the spread of the virus (core business functions will still occur; such as: persons in custody, Child & Adult Protection, emergency protection orders, etc.)
Currently developing safe work processes to continue to allow court access for the serious and urgent matters
Those with motor vehicle infractions will not be impacted by license suspensions due to Court access delays

Community Café:

St Paul's Lutheran Church Hall at 25 Phoenix Street, Bridgewater
Take out ONLY

Correctional Services:

Limited the number of staff working out of the office each day
Others working from home
No in person meetings
No outside agencies in the office at this time
no meetings

Department of Community Services:

Open with adjusted service delivery for programs
Citizens who enter the building wil:
- Be directed to a phone where they will call the number provided
- A receptionist will answer determine service required
- They will be directed to an interview room where they will receive a call from their worker/program based on their required need
Income Assistance services are being adjusted and clients will have access to their workers by phone
- Rotating in office and working at home
- Modifications to expectations are taking place and case workers will be reaching out to clients to advise of any changes
Child Protection services will continue to be delivered with staff rotating in the office and at home
- Field work will continue with adjustments
- Some field work will be diverted to telephone or other modes of communication to assist children and families
- The investigation of child abuse and neglect, will continue with some modifications, on a case by case basis
Disability Support Services Team is working from home and participants can leave a message on their work phone and the call will be returned

Early Years:

Western Zone Public Health Early Years staff are actively engaging in social distancing to minimize risk to families and communities
Continue provide Public Health support to families in the Western Zone
Effective March 17, 2020 modified service delivery to support families through remote communications rather than in person hospital and home visits
In hospital prenatal and postpartum Early Years Public Health screening will temporarily be suspended
Screens will be completed by telephone
Public Health Nurses (PHN's) will use their assessment and judgement to determine if a postpartum home visit is deemed necessary to support the short term needs of families
For families currently engaged in the Enhanced Home Visiting Program Community Home Visitors will provide support by phone, email or through a virtual connection

Employment Solutions:

Suspended all in-person services until April 3, 2020
Appointments are possible via phone or online
More information call 1 866 711 0411.

Food Banks:

Chester Foodbank open Wednesdays and will stay open as long as they have food
Bridgewater foodbank open Tuesdays and Fridays 1-3:30pm
Liverpool food is open as normal (Wednesdays)
Mahone Bay Food Bank (2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month from 9:00-11:00)
Food will be provided outside the building at all locations

Faith and Religion:

The Anglican Churches (Liverpool) have cancelled all worship, luncheons, meetings, gatherings of all sorts.

Freeman House:

Freeman House is working at individual, community and system levels with the most vulnerable youth & families of our communities in support of Nova Scotia Government #PreventionMeasures to flatten the curve on #COVID19 for all
To connect with Freeman House #YouthOutreach, you can text, call or email Corey and Josh:
- Josh Goode 902 521-8486 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Corey Wright 902 521-8995 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To connect with Freeman House #Family Connections, you can text, call or email
- Natasha MacSween 902 394-0228 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To connect with Freeman House #Men's Intervention, you can text, call or email
- Chris Hessian 902 521-7078This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To connect with our local #HousingFirst Housing Support/Homelessness Prevention Program, you can text, call or email
- Donette Getson 902 212-1055 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In-person Supported Access to #PrimaryHealthCare is not available at Freeman at this time
- Existing patients can be supported via phone and have prescriptions filled

Gaming:

The Gambling support network is available 24/7 by calling 1-888-347-8888, or by going to the website https://gamblingsupportnetwork.ca/
They are connected with a clinical therapist either immediately or they are connected within 30 minutes
Ongoing appointments offered
Can request booklets of support for themselves or loved ones to be mailed to their homes
Gamblers Anonymous 902-252-3132

Harbour House:

Still working with the province and THANS for exact steps regarding the shelter and current clients
Stopped accepting in person donations
Limited visitors to staff and emergency services only
Support line available 24-7
Child and Youth and Outreach are working out of our offices at the shelter and have postponed all in person sessions, groups, and meetings until further notice
Facebook page will post updates and can receive messages
Offering counselling and services via phone, text, or email.
Contacts below:
- Transition House/ Support line-902-543-3999 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Outreach Counsellors-902-543-9970 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Child and youth counsellor-902-543-9970 or 902-514-6701 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I, J, K,

Lunenburg County Seniors Safety:

Office:902-543-3567
Cell: 902-521-1506
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The following LCSSP services are on hold until further notice:
- home visits
- presentations
- educational series such as Seniors' Safety Academy etc
Continue to serve older adults and work closely with collaborative partners, law enforcement and the community at large via telephone and internet
FB page is committed to trying to communicate up to date information from reliable sources

Mental Health and Addiction:

In-person sessions still available
Social distancing (6 feet) practiced with clients and coworkers
Phone sessions also offered as an option
All groups cancelled
School-Based staff are working out of Dawson Centre while schools are closed
All non-urgent home-based services are cancelled for CSS and EIBI
Any and all questions can be directed to 902-543-5400
Opiod Use Treatment
- Please contact someone from our team for more details
- Dave Martell (902) 298-0493

ICAN (Conquer Anxiety and Nervousness) - Anxiety Program (18 plus years of age)
People looking for help for anxiety and depression
This program provides adults with a manual or access to a secure website, skill demonstration videos, and weekly telephone support from a coach
This service is private and confidential and offered through the Strongest Families Institute.
To self-refer please go to: https://login.strongestfamilies.com/folder/1963/

Strongest Families Institute is a not-for-profit corporation providing evidence-based services to children and families seeking help for mental health and other issues impacting health and well-being
Supporting families over the phone and Internet in the comfort and privacy of their own home.
Children and youth from 3-17 years of age:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Oppositional Defiance Disorder
- Anxiety Disorder
- Nighttime Bedwetting *Dependent on funding
Self-referrals can be made during this high anxiety providing time
http://strongestfamilies.com

National Student Loans:

Government of Canada has announced its plan to pause the repayment of Canada Student Loans until September 30th, 2020, with no accrual of interest
Pending parliamentary approval, these measures will become effective March 30th, 2020
This will include pre-authorized debits
Up to date details at https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada.ca/en/home

NCNS:

Working from home
Contact with people through phone, email, Facebook, messenger, skype, etc.

NSECDIS:

Services offered via phone, email and video conferencing from now to April 3^rd
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 1-844-292-6730

Nova Scotia Legal Aid:

Currently not offering counter service
Most staff are working remotely
Accessible by email and phone
Can accept NSLA applications online via our website nslegalaid.ca
Asking that people submit documents electronically (email or fax) only right now
Updates from the Courts are posted online here - https://www.courts.ns.ca/News_of_Courts/COVID19_Preventative_Measures.htm
Generally speaking, it appears anything that can be conducted by phone, is being conducted by phone, and anything that can be adjourned is being adjourned; BUT, parties should check with their lawyers to be certain of the status of any court dates if they haven't already heard something.

Nova Scotia Works:

Working from the offices
Offering virtual services (phone or email contact with clients)

Our Health Centre:

WALK-IN CLINIC SCHEDULE - SUBJECT to CHANGE
- Saturday March 21^st 9-1 pm
- Wednesday March 25^th 5-8 pm
- Saturday March 28^th 9-1 pm
- Tuesday March 31^st 5-8 pm
PLEASE COME EARLY if you want to be sure to get a number
Registration begins 1 hour prior to all times listed above; come to the second floor, take a number and be seated
For info call: 273-2098 or 275-3847
April schedule will be posted as soon as we have confirmation from providers

P, Q. R

Schools-Plus:

Working from home
Will trouble shoot emergencies that come up for families/students

Second Story Women's Centre:

Closed to the public for at least two weeks (starting Monday, March 16) and until further notice
Counsellors will offer their clients the option to keep their appointments and have them over the phone or by skype
Our Boy Talk camp that was to be offered during March Break is cancelled
All other programs and services are cancelled as well as any external use of the Centre
Staff will be accessible by email and some by telephone at office number 902-640-3044

Senior Wheels:

From March 19 - 30 the bus is off the road at which time it will be re-evaluated

Service Canada:

Service Canada Centres are open
Counter servi0063es limited to 6 clients at a time
Encourage any clients who need Service to use online and phone channels
Outreach activities are suspended for now

Souls Harbour:

Drop In Cafe is Closed
Bagged Lunches given out at the door for anyone in need
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 1 and 3

Shore Community Justice:

Closed and working from home
No in person meetings at this time (April 3^rd)
Office cell phone: (902) 298-3700
To reach each staff member directly:
- Executive Director
  Nicolle Lovett: (902) 298-1602 OR This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Caseworkers
  Emily Tallon: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Charlene Flint: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Office Admin
  Jane Lawrence: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

South Shore Family Resource Centre:

The South Shore Family Resource Association's family resource centres in Bridgewater, Queens, Shelburne and Digby are currently closed to the public until April 3rd.
Staff are working at each centre on a rotational basis to provide support via e-mail/phone/text
- Bridgewater - Better Together Family Resource Centre 902-543-3119
- Liverpool - Queens Family Resource Centre 902-354-7176
- Shelburne - King Street Family Resource Centre 902-875-3256
- Digby - The Family Resource Centre 902-245-2300

South Shore Sexual Health:

Closed but willing to offer support via phone, email, or Facebook Messenger
Drop offs/pick-ups of condoms or pregnancy tests can be arranged
Compassionate Emergency Contraception still available through a pharmacy of clients choice on the South Shore as long as the pharmacy is willing

Transportation:

Municipality of Chester Transportation Society Community Wheels are continuing service to ridership
Using vans and bus which allows space for social distancing (no booking travel in compact car)
Following the lead from Health Canada guidelines as are other RTA member organizations
Take Care, Regards Michele

U, V, W, X

YMCA

Lunenburg County YMCA (High Street location) is not open to the public
- Staff are on site to answer inquiries at 902-4543-9622 from 9AM -5PM
- This may change and will be re-evaluated as of April 3rd
YMCA King Street Youth Centre is closed with all programming postponed
- Kim (staff) working from office and at home
- Youth Centre phone is checked several times a day (902) 530-3392
- Efforts are being made to identify ways to keep youth connected as this situation is very isolating for youth

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