The spread of COVID-19 is threatening the health and safety of communities all over the world. But in its wake, this pandemic is leaving individuals and families without jobs, struggling to meet their basic needs, and fearful of how their lives will look once this pandemic is over.
These effects are being felt by our friends and neighbors along the Wasatch Front. United Way of Salt Lake is working with partners across sectors to support those most affected by the economic consequences of COVID-19, so every Utahn can feel hopeful for the future once this pandemic ends.
Organizations all over the world are coming together to raise funds to support those affected by COVID-19 through a second Giving Tuesday campaign, taking place May 5.
Help us meet the growing needs of our community this Giving Tuesday by donating to our COVID-19 direct response efforts. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will help ensure more people across the Wasatch Front have the support they need to weather this storm and hope for a brighter future beyond this pandemic.
Here is what our COVID-19 direct response looks like
Community outreach: Our team is connecting with hundreds of community members from immigrant and refugee communities, primarily in South Salt Lake and Kearns, to offer personal connection in this time of social isolation and share resources like 211.
School community engagement: We are working with our partner schools to ensure all students and families get connected to the resources they need right now. This includes resources to keep learning while schools are closed and basic needs services they can access.
Strategy development with partners: Our Promise Partnerships are swiftly adjusting to ensure kids and families get what they need to weather this crisis. For example, kindergarten readiness partners are lending their time and talent to helping the state’s childcare stabilization efforts. Our elementary reading partners are rapidly moving reading resources online, and our financial stability partners are helping streamline how rent assistance gets to those who most need it.
Advocate: Advocacy is a key component in our efforts to help alleviate the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. So far, we’ve pushed for the passage of the federal stimulus, federal matching for Medicaid funds, and rental deferment for tenants impacted by the pandemic.
Information & Referral: Utah 211 is helping thousands of Utahns across the state find the resources and services they need during this pandemic, whether it’s by a call, text, message or by keeping its resource database up-to-date. Plus, the team is doing more than taking calls – Utah 211 has also become the state’s go-to emergency information resource on the pandemic and is tracking the ripple effects COVID-19 is having on communities across Utah.
Now more than ever, we must come together to help our community through and past these difficult circumstances. The work we are doing right now will not only help more Utahns weather this storm, but also allow them to rebuild their lives beyond this pandemic.
Join us in supporting our friends and neighbors through and past this pandemic by donating to United Way of Salt Lake today.
By Kelly Schmidt, Content Manager at United Way of Salt Lake
