New Westminster – The City of New Westminster has established a number of working groups to focus on the various important components of our local and operational response to the COVID-19 pandemic including two that focus directly on our community’s vulnerable populations: the at-risk and vulnerable populations working group and the seniors and persons with disabilities populations working group.

“All of our working groups have been established to mobilize our staff and community, faith and non-profit organizations to be able to address various needs in our community during this incredibly difficult time,” said Mayor Jonathan X. Cote. “Because our vulnerable populations are at increased risk, we have created these two working groups to be able to provide them with as many resources and as much support as they may need. We’re all in this together.”

Both groups comprise government, faith, and non-profit representatives who will meet weekly to focus on advising response efforts towards their target groups.

The at-risk and vulnerable populations group will focus on those dealing with one or more of the following situations: abusive relationships, food insecurity, homelessness or unstable living arrangements, mental health and substance misuse issues, precarious immigration status, and social isolation.

The seniors and persons with disabilities working group will focus on those dealing with one or more of the following situations: mental health issues, compromised immune systems, cultural or language barriers, fixed or low incomes, food insecurity, limited mobility, limited or no support networks, and loneliness or social isolation.

Information and resources for both community members and service providers will be updated regularly and available on our website at www.newwestcity.ca/covid-workinggroups.

We’d also like to put the call out to the community for volunteers and donations to our local faith and non-profit groups as they continue to support our most vulnerable community members. For more information, visit www.newwestcity.ca/covid-volunteer.

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Media Contact:

John Stark, Supervisor of Community Planning
604-515-3777 or jstark@newwestcity.ca