Hurricane Dorian has left a trail of devastation and destruction in Grand Bahama, Abaco Islands of the Bahamas, the eastern seaboard of the United States and Nova Scotia, here in Canada. The University community stands together with those who are impacted by this natural disaster and offer our care and concern to these communities at York and beyond.
The hardest hit area remains the Bahamas. The university is home to over 25 students from the Bahamas, with many others from the diaspora and the 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 impacted by the current situation. If you need immediate assistance and support, we encourage you to contact programs and services available at York University and connect with York International who 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 dante through the go-fund-me campaign please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/uci-bahamas-relief-initiative.
To learn more about specific supplies needed, please visit UCI's Instagram at @yorku.uci or email yorku.uci@gmail.com.
Campus Resources
Student Counselling & Development
Bennett Centre, Room N 110
416.736.5297
Walk-in Counselling Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm *walk-in clients accepted until 3pm 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)
Bennett Centre, Room W 128
416.736.5231
oscr@yorku.ca
OSCR supports students impacted by critical incidents, facing personal crisis or multiple complex issues.
York International
200 York Lanes
416.736.5177
iadvisor@yorku.ca
Drop-in Advising Hours: Monday to Friday 1pm to 4pm
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 but aren't sure where to go? Start with York International, open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Additional relief efforts
Toronto
The Toronto-based Disaster Relief Agency Global Medic has deployed their Rapid Response Team in the Bahamas and are taking donations at https://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 here.
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 |
