Community Nurturing through Crisis

Online Resources Available within the Wood Buffalo region

As the news continues to break on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and updates unfold throughout the world, people can be finding themselves struggling on how to keep up with all the constant life-altering announcements.

The latest news from the Alberta Government of classes being cancelled and daycares being closed across the province has created another new stir as parents and families are left wondering what’s next to come and how to move forward.

Both the Fort McMurray Public School District and Fort McMurray Catholic School District will be posting more updates and announcements on their websites and social media platforms. Please stay tuned and patient as they will be discussing the best methods to educate their students within the districts through this challenging time.

For updates on the COVID-19 virus for Albertans, go to the Alberta Government website or its social media platforms @YourAlberta (Government of Alberta). According to Alberta.ca, the current confirmed cases is 56 in Alberta, 321 in Canada. Information and updates are posted online regularly to describe the current situation.

Updates are also being provided from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo as they continue to follow the direction of Alberta Health Services and Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. 

A Helping Community

There has already been a lot of activity on local social media platforms of people in the Wood Buffalo region reaching out to help others in need of groceries and household essentials, as well as people reaching out to help with childcare.

Here is a list of NEW public and private groups on Facebook assisting help to others:

Fort Mac gives Back – A public group created to help those who are looking for items/food, etc.

Homeschooling in the Quarantine – A private community group created to help parents and guardians educate their children at home.

Shut Down Sitters at Your Service! – A public group provided to help parents and guardians connect to those providing childcare services.

YMM Parent is not affiliated with any of these groups, and anyone seeking childcare services should ensure the childcare provider has the appropriate certificates or licensing required to take part in such services.

Also, there is no minimum legal age for when children become babysitters in Canada, and it’s not uncommon to start as early as 12.

The Canadian Red Cross offers a babysitting course for kids between 11 and 12. This program is focused on child caregiving, first aid, injury prevention and leadership and business skills. To learn more, visit the Canadian Red Cross website. (Click here for the link.)

Pre-Existing Public and Private Community Groups

Nanny Network – Fort McMurray, Alberta – This is a public group for parents and guardians to find caregivers available within the Wood Buffalo region.

YMM Helping Others – This is a public group to help connect residents to families in need of multiple services and items.

Residents in Urgent Need

The Wood Buffalo Food Bank Association was scheduled to host their annual Spring Food Drive three weeks from now (April 4 and April 5) and with the recent turn of events, they are urgently asking the public for their assistance.

The current “most needed items” are cereal, canned fruit, school snacks, chunky soups, spices, canned beans, coffee and tea. Updates for “Most Needed Items” are posted regularly on the WBFB’s website and social media platforms. Learn more at www.woodbuffalofoodbank.com

For those able to donate to the Wood Buffalo Food Bank Association, grocery stores across Fort McMurray have bins inside their stores or residents can also donate to the food bank directly at 10117 King Street from Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  

About the author

Dawn Booth

Editor-in-Chief at YMM Parent | dawn@balsom.ca

Dawn Booth is the Editor-in-Chief of YMM Parent Magazine and Your McMurray Magazine. She has actively worked in the Wood Buffalo region's media industry since residing in Fort McMurray in 2007.

Her passion is writing poetry and puts it at the forefront of the community through her volunteer work as the President of NorthWord Magazine. Most important, Booth puts her family of five first, which includes her husband Ryan and their three children, Landon, Dawson and Tessa.