The following is a message to the University community from Lucy Fromowitz, vice provost, students:
Hurricane Dorian has left a trail of devastation and destruction in the Grand Bahama and Abaco islands of the Bahamas, the eastern seaboard of the United States and the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The University community stands together with those who are affected by this natural disaster and offer our care and concern to these communities at York University and beyond.
The hardest hit area remains the Bahamas. The University is home to more than 25 students from the Bahamas, with many others from the diaspora and Caribbean communities. We are concerned for our students, colleagues and alumni who have family and friends in the Bahamas.
During this incredibly challenging time, there are resources available to those affected by the current situation. If you need immediate assistance and support, we encourage you to contact programs and services available at York University and to connect with York International, which can assist in referring you to the appropriate services.
If you would like to support relief efforts in the Bahamas, the student club United Caribbean Islands (UCI) is taking donations and specific supplies. To donate through the Go Fund Me campaign, visit gofundme.com/f/uci-bahamas-relief-initiative.
To learn more about specific supplies needed, visit UCI’s Instagram page at @yorku.uci or email yorku.uci@gmail.com.
Campus resources
Student Counselling & Development
Room N110, Bennett Centre, Keele Campus
416-736-5297 / counselling.students.yorku.ca
Walk-in counselling hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (walk-in clients accepted until 3 p.m. daily)
Counselling is available for York students at Student Counselling & Development. Speak to a counsellor if you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or looking for support on specific situations or incidents. A range of programs as well as individual and group counselling are available to students.
Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR)
Room W128, Bennett Centre, Keele Campus
416-736-5231 / oscr.students.yorku.ca/home
oscr@yorku.ca
OSCR supports students impacted by critical incidents or facing personal crises or multiple complex issues.
York International
200 York Lanes
416-736-5177 / yorkinternational.yorku.ca
iadvisor@yorku.ca
Drop-in advising hours: Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
York International assists all international students as well as domestic and international students who wish to study or work abroad. Available services and programs include student life on campus, safety, health insurance, immigration advising, student orientations, peer programs, exchange, work and study abroad.
Have a question or want to talk to someone and aren’t sure where to go? Start with York International, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additional relief efforts
Toronto
The Toronto-based disaster relief agency GlobalMedic has deployed its rapid response team in the Bahamas and is taking donations at globalmedic.ca/responses.
Bahamas
The Bahamian government and several organizations are accepting donations of money and in some cases supplies to support rescue, relief and recovery.
The Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund, set up by the Bahamian government, is accepting wire transfers. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency has posted instructions on its website.
The Grand Bahama Port Authority has established the Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation to provide relief to the island. It is accepting donations and supplies.
Additional resources
| Name | Contact Information |
| Consulate of the Bahamas | 68 Thorncrest Rd., Etobicoke, Toronto, ON, M9A 1S9 Tel: 416-233-6776 Fax: 416-233-6776 Email: gord.feeney@sympatico.ca |