In a news conference at Queen’s Park, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and provincial cabinet ministers Christine Elliott (health), Vic Fedeli (economic development), Lisa Thompson (government and consumer services), and Peter Bethlenfalvy (president of the Treasury Board) provide an update on their government’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic.
Following months of hard work and dedication from volunteers, local businesses and community support, UPlift Black has officially wrapped up its first project UPlift Black – Youth Care Packages which saw the delivery of 239 care packages to Black youth throughout the Simcoe Muskoka region.
The project could not have been successful without the commitment and hard work from UPlift Black’s dedicated volunteers and community members who have continued to show UP, support and donate to the cause, as well as the support from its community partners including Making Change SC, Shak’s World.
UPlift Black would like to thank those who provided their business as a designated drop off location for the UPlift Black – Youth Care Package Project, including: Addiction Services for York Region, Barrie Chamber of Commerce, Beach Barbers, Big Momma’s Soul Food, Dotsi Eats, Drors, JJ’s Caribbean Cuisine, Key Mortgage Partners, Sherine Dezy Norwex Independent Consultant Office, Simmering Kettle, Studio Eleven, and Take My Hand Wellness.
“My son and I were both overwhelmed with the generosity of UPlift Black and the donors and sponsors for the items that were in the care package,” says Sandra, a mother, whose son received a care package. “The efforts of all involved made my son, and I’m sure all recipients of the care packages, feel so special and worthy.”
UPlift Black continues to support families that receive care packages and ensure they have the technology needs they may have to help youth, and their caretakers, adjust to their new environments as they head into a school year under COVID-19 restrictions.
“Access to technology is becoming a necessity for both children and adults, as we head into a ‘new normal’ world,” says Shelly Skinner, President of UPlift Black. “There are still cost and access barriers to technology that low-income families face to this day, and ensuring we can support them through this transition period is crucial to their continued success.”
Following a busy summer, the team at UPlift Black has its sight set on a series of new projects to help inform and educate the Simcoe Muskoka community, including:
Launching an Adult Book Club and Youth Book Club to engage with community members of all ages in both insightful and informative discussions on inclusivity, gender, anti-racism and Black stories. To learn more and sign up, visit /
Launching the UPlift Black Voices Newsletter which highlights and promotes Black voices, artists and businesses. To read the latest volume, visit
Launching UPlift Black The Web Series, thanks to the generous donation and partnership from Multi Tech Audio Visual Inc. (MTAV). The series shares stories and work of members from the Black community living in the Simcoe Muskoka region, and Canada. To watch the web series, visit
To keep engaged and up-to-date with current and upcoming projects at UPlift Black, sign up for news updates by visiting the homepage of the website at .
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