Mehdiya Walji is a Family Outreach Worker who has adapted how families are supported during COVID-19.
For families who have suffered a loss of income during COVID-19, it can be frightening.
Not knowing where to turn is often the biggest hurdle. The second? Actually getting up the courage to ask for help.
Mehdiya Walji, a Family Outreach Worker with House of Friendship, wants to put your mind at ease.
“I’ve had people tell me, ‘I’ve never asked for help before – it’s embarrassing,’” said Mehdiya. “I tell them, ‘that’s what we’re here for.’”
Mehdiya has her own journey of needing help for her family. A few years back, her maternity leave turned into an extended period of unemployment when her job was eliminated.
“I had six months of no job and no income. It can happen to anyone.”
These days, Mehdiya is working hard to help families that have been impacted by COVID. This means a new way of doing things –often working out of her car, instead of an office, and meeting families in parking lots to arrange a safe way to transfer needed resources, like grocery gift cards and bus tickets.
“Often, a gift card can give a family a sense of independence and autonomy. They can buy what they need,” said Mehdiya.
She has also helped families get connected to free counselling services, an increased need with the stress brought on by the pandemic.
“I’ve seen a huge rise in this,” said Mehdiya.
Other resources include helping families connect to health care, through virtual appointments, or providing printed out information that helps them know when food programs are available in their own neighbourhood.
“Many families don’t have access to the Internet,” said Mehdiya. “They can’t get this information for themselves.”
If your family is facing financial hardship due to COVID-19, help is available. Family Outreach Workers are active in communities throughout Waterloo Region. To find your own Family Outreach Worker, visit www.houseoffriendship.org/familyoutreach
