Calls are in person from 8:30 - 4:30 Monday through Friday

A toll-free number to assist African Nova Scotians across the province during COVID-19 is up and running, and will continue until further notice.

Crystal John, president of the Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers says "we're not always the first consideration, so we wanted to be on top of it for our community."

They set up the toll-free number because black communities are historically extra susceptible to diseases like COVID-19 and wanted to provide a space that people would trust to get information. John tells NEWS 95.7 they support a broad range of issues from education and health, to helping those who test positive.

"So we have a number of calls, we have calls about people unsure about the new CERB fund, we have people calling about unemployment," explains John. "We are also fielding calls for those who have possibly tested positive and need to be isolated, we are taking that information and setting those situations up as well."

She adds families are concerned about education, and they have someone on board who answers calls about how to get information from schools. Calls are in person from 8:30 - 4:30 Monday through Friday although messages can be left after hours and someone will get back to you.

The toll-free number is 1-855-732-1253.