City of Vaughan partners with PinkCars to connect seniors with COVID-19 vaccinations
The City of Vaughan has partnered with a volunteer-led community group to provide COVID-19 vaccination support for seniors aged 70+ in York Region. The PinkCars initiative was launched on March 1, 2021 to help older adults book their vaccines and provide safe travel arrangements to and from their scheduled appointments. Since its creation, this group of dedicated volunteers has secured appointments to inoculate more than 3,000 people in Vaughan and beyond.
At the May 4, 2021 Committee of the Whole (1) meeting, Regional Councillor Linda Jackson brought forward a Member’s Resolution requesting the City support PinkCars and its mandate to help vaccinate every person in need, which was unanimously supported by all Members of Council.
The City of Vaughan continues to take a responsible, measured and disciplined approach in its response to the global pandemic. Since becoming the first city in Ontario to declare a state of emergency on March 17, 2020, Vaughan has transformed its service offerings to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens, businesses and the greater community.
Vaughan and York Region continue to work around the clock with provincial and national health agencies, receiving regular updates as the pandemic evolves. This allows the City and Region to take well-informed and meaningful steps towards stopping the spread of COVID-19. To date, more than 620,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to York Region residents, representing 63 per cent of the population of all eligible adults. This number includes more than 121,000 seniors aged 70+. The City's Maple Community Centre continues to operate as a vital COVID-19 vaccine clinic serving individuals who live and work in Vaughan.
Vaughan is home to residents who come from around the world and where 105 different languages are spoken. To meet the needs of the city’s diverse and multicultural population, PinkCars offers translation services in multiple languages at no cost to residents.
To further support its mission, PinkCars is seeking additional volunteers from throughout York Region. Visit pinkcars.ca to learn more about the initiative and to get involved.
QUOTES
“As the City of Vaughan continues to respond to COVID-19, our top priority remains the health and safety of everyone who lives and works here. Now that we find ourselves in the third wave of this virus, we are laser-focused on our vaccination efforts to protect our community. Vaccines are safe, effective and will help alleviate the challenges created by the global pandemic. I encourage all citizens to get the vaccine as soon as they are eligible to protect themselves and others. However, the City acknowledges the barriers many individuals – especially our older adult population – face booking an appointment. Thanks in part to the exceptional citizenship embodied by the PinkCars team, Vaughan’s seniors are getting the support required to access healthcare services during these unprecedented times. I want to express my warmest and sincerest gratitude to Shanta Sundarason and all the remarkable volunteers for their efforts to address this urgent need with a functional solution. Every day in every way, they demonstrate the noble values of compassion, empathy and service above self, and I thank them for representing the very best of what humanity has to offer. The Vaughan spirit remains ready, resilient and resourceful. By continuing to work together in the spirit of co-operation, I am confident we will emerge stronger.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
“I want to thank Shanta Sundarason and her team of hard-working volunteers at PinkCars for their incredible efforts to support Vaughan’s senior population as we continue to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic. More than 3,000 vulnerable citizens in Vaughan and York Region have received at least one vaccine through their ongoing contributions. Now more than ever, we are dedicated to removing barriers in our city – be it mobility, language or otherwise – that would prevent anyone from accessing critical healthcare services. By taking a targeted approach in its outreach to seniors living in isolation, PinkCars is delivering reliable care to people when they need it most. Through raising awareness for this wonderful initiative, the City reaffirms its commitment to take every possible step to protect our community from COVID-19.”
- Regional Councillor Linda Jackson
“PinkCars is pleased to partner with the City of Vaughan to promote our volunteer services to Vaughan and York Region residents. I want to thank Regional Councillor Linda Jackson for bringing forward a motion to support our vision and express my appreciation to Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and all Members of Council for their commitment and collaboration. I began the PinkCars initiative in March of this year to help seniors book their COVID-19 vaccinations and take them to and from their appointments. With the help of our team of compassionate volunteers, we have assisted thousands of seniors in the community to protect themselves against COVID-19. Together, we will continue working toward our shared mission to ensure every eligible individual in York Region who wants a vaccine receives one.”
- Shanta Sundarason, Founder, PinkCars
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