Support in Unison: Much Needed Hope for Canada's Music Industry

Unison, Canada’s music industry charity, was formed with one simple but important goal in mind: to ensure that the people who make up the Canadian music business never face times of crisis alone. Created by the industry, for the industry, Unison delivers life-saving emergency financial services and professional counselling that offer much needed hope to those in need.

For over a decade, Unison has been helping artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, production crews, and thousands of other music industry professionals by providing the Canadian music community with over $4.6 million in support through their programs.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Unison provides short-term financial assistance to Canadian music-makers recovering from an illness, injury, or personal hardship. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an ongoing source of crisis for thousands of music professionals unable to return to work. Unison provides

financial support to help with the life necessities deemed most urgent by the applicant (groceries, rent, medical expenses).

COUNSELLING AND HEALTH SOLUTIONS Unison provides free counselling services, including mental health support, legal advice, financial guidance, and more. This service, provided by Lifeworks, is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in English and French. Counselling can be provided over the phone or online, and can address a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to:

• mental health support

• managing relationships and family life

• finding child and elder care resources

• legal advice

• financial guidance

• workplace challenges

• tackling addictions

• improving nutrition and focusing on your health

HOW CAN A MUSIC PROFESSIONAL REGISTER WITH UNISON TO ACCESS THESE PROGRAMS? Registration with Unison is free, and their services are confidential. Music industry professionals can register online at UnisonFund.ca, and once registered have access to their programs.

WHY DOES THE MUSIC COMMUNITY NEED UNISON? Many members of the music community do not have access to the services and benefits required in

the case of an unforeseen emergency or illness. Unison provides a lifeline in times of crisis to maintain the health of the music community and keep the music going.

Since the pandemic began in 2020, Unison has dispersed over 3.8 million in financial assistance alone, helping 2,500+ vulnerable music workers and their families with life necessities deemed most urgent: groceries, rent, and medical expenses. Their counselling solutions program has also significantly increased during the pandemic, providing support to 600+ individuals, including 85 urgent

mental health crisis intervention counselling support requests. As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the music community continues to be significantly impacted; more than 25 percent of arts, entertainment, and recreation workers lost their job during the pandemic, and 85 percent of musicians have a difficult time making a living if they can’t perform live. As a registered non-profit charity, Unison can only support the most vulnerable in the music community with your help. $0.92 of every dollar donated directly supports their programs, ensuring whether a music professional is facing a layoff, mental health difficulties, or a work-related concern, Unison is there to help. With numerous ways to donate, lending support has never been this easy. So, whether you’re part of the music industry, a music fan, or just someone looking to help others, Unison is the organization for you.

Donate today at UnisonFund.ca

A lifeline for the Canadian music community.

Unison offers life-saving counselling and financial relief services so there is always hope in times of crisis.

@unisonfund