Despite the chaos this virus has created, several DMZ companies (current and alumni) are pushing their traditional boundaries and devoting additional time, money and resources to help those in need. Some startups are cutting platform subscription fees for small businesses, while some are forming charitable partnerships within the community. Others have staff working around the clock to build new functionality to save customers millions of dollars.

StayWell, a Toronto-based charity, has since last year helped patients who travel to Toronto for medical treatments find affordable places to stay. The charity partners with Sky View Suites to make hundreds of fully furnished units available for short-term rentals at a reduced price. With COVID-19 hitting all parts of the city and the province, the charity decided to expand this service to health-care providers.

Urban Mind’s Instagram (@urbanmindsTO) and Ryerson’s Twitter (@RYSURP) have put up themes such as weird things about the city, things we miss about it while in isolation, and a challenge to build a DIY CN Tower. Go to either platform to catch up, and check the #10veyourcity hashtag

Includes information on hotels, motels, buildings acquired, shelters, overnight programs and funding to community partners to provide services

Fieldstone Co-op in Toronto held a community singalong, with members taking part from a safe distance apart on their balconies and in the garden.

The Friendly Neighbour Hotline connects seniors living in low-income housing in Toronto to a network of volunteers who can help with picking up groceries, household essentials and food bank items. The service gives priority to seniors living in low-income housing.

Little India, a longtime family restaurant in Toronto, is helping people who’ve lost their jobs by giving out free meals to anyone in need — no questions asked.

Ryerson University’s DMZ created an online hackathon to facilitate the development of solutions to help address COVID-19. Over a two-week period, teams will develop a technology solution to help curb the virus’ spread. The winner of the challenge will receive $10,000 in cash and an expedited application for DMZ membership.

Akin is a Toronto-based arts organization that provides creative studio space as well as arts-based programming. The goal of the Fund is to provide short term financial aid in unexpected situations or times of financial instability.

Provides interest-free repayable loans to low-income households facing eviction due to short-term financial difficulties. NIP acts as the Central Administrative agency and local service access centre. NIP is responsible for processing all Rent Bank loans and repayments in Toronto, and providing local residents in the Downtown area with Rent Bank intake functions and a variety of housing-related services.

Facilitation is being provided by the Everyday Friends Social Network program, created by Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (MNJCC) in Toronto. The program, which was provided in-person before a state of emergency was declared and non-essential businesses were closed, provides daily programs for young adults living with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 29.

Includes showers, washrooms, food banks, and drop-in centres for bagged, hot foods.

Established by the Toronto Arts Foundation and the Toronto Arts Council, this fund provides up to $1,000 in emergency relief for artists who are self employed and not eligible for EI through any other employer or any other bridge funding. The fund is open to artists who can demonstrate lost income due to cancellation of events, programs, workshops, classes, etc.

Time to Talk–Uncovering Youth Experiences, a Scarborough-based youth organization launched the Hearty Food Initiative, an effort to address food insecurity at the grassroots and community levels, and support the youngest members of the community and their families during the outbreak.

With so many businesses and public spaces closed, community members & clients have few places to use washrooms during COVID19

Toronto Councillor Joe Cressy said five hotels have been acquired with another five in the process of being secured. Two vacant rental buildings are also in the process of being acquired and 50 permanent housing units have been identified. He added that 19 households have secured permanent housing. The latest acquisitions are in addition to the nine existing sites the city has already opened to facilitate social distancing within the shelter system. Cressy added that the city has provided funding to five community partners that run overnight programs to stay open all day to provide daytime spaces for those experiencing homelessness. Two sites are now open and three others will open shortly.

The Toronto Public Library just announced that they’re temporarily donating 10 of their Ultimaker 2+ 3D printers to a team at Toronto General Hospital making personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line healthcare workers. Other Ontario libraries, such as those in Kitchener and Stratford, have also agreed to loan their 3D printers to PPE production efforts.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak took hold of Toronto there’s been 20 percent growth in the number of clients making use of Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank over a span of the last two weeks. The pressure to provide food to new clients coupled with required social distancing has forced the food bank to change its operations in a dramatic way. They’ve partnered with GlobalMedic and set up a medical hospital mobile field tent in the food bank’s parking lot. Now the food comes out on a conveyor belt from inside the tent.

Camp Tech is running a series of free digital marketing webinars as part of the Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative, which helps businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and a digital service squad, who help main street businesses grow and manage their business through the adoption of digital tools and technology.

Based out of Ryerson University, First Policy Response was launched in March 2020 to bring together the Canadian policy community and highlight the best economic and social policy ideas to get through the immediate crisis and prepare for the uncertain future. Contributions and suggestions are welcome.

Helping local food system stay strong in this time of social distancing. Pre-order to pick up a weekly $50 box filled with local produce, cheese and bread from local farmers and producers.

Two of Canada’s most densely populated cities are looking at barring auto traffic from parts of their streets so pedestrians can spread out and maintain the proper distance from each other. Toronto and Vancouver are following the lead of other jurisdictions as officials grapple with how to allow for safe movement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to facilitate outdoor respite for people confined to small urban dwellings.

Canada Goose announced it will be using its manufacturing facilities to make scrubs and patient gowns for frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19.

The group has joined forces with a few community organizations, including a local kitchen and the University Health Network’s Friendly Neighbour Hotline.

Toronto Society of Architects creates space to share resources that might be helpful for members during COVID-19

BlogTO compiled a list of local Toronto gyms that have moved classes online, after gyms were shut down due to COVID-19, as a way to leverage their platforms for social good, and connect with their local community.

For those in the Parkdale neighbourhood facing food insecurity, Greenest City and FoodShare are offering to deliver food to your door during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of neighbours in Toronto’s Parkdale/High Park/Ward 4 are matching people in need to help through Windemere Church’s volunteers and staff.

Updates and links to resources on Parkdale’s mutal aid network and neighbourhood pod. Posted by Parkdale Community Economic Development (PCED), a project of the Parkdale People’s Economy led by over 30 community-based organizations and community residents to build decent work, shared wealth, and equitable development in Parkdale.

Links to Toronto-based independent bookstores offering free delivery