Our County by Lynda Hopkins - 5th District Supervisor - May 2020
The Coronavirus Public Health Emergency has created hardship across a broad section of our District. Last month we opened up a competitive grant application, knowing that there would be immediate needs for a wide range of support. The following list are those that we put forward for funding to the April 28th Board of Supervisors meeting. Our priorities in choosing these proposals were:
Food support - We’ve seen lines at the food banks growing exponentially as workers have been furloughed. Those organizations that prioritize sourcing food from local businesses – farms, restaurants, and small businesses – help not only in providing food, but also in supporting those local businesses that grow, prepare, and deliver food.
Small Business Support – Helping small business develop online sales or production channels and purchasing gift cards to sell at a discount for locals to get food and services.
Workers that don’t qualify for standard support - So many in our district fall through the cracks in established systems. These funds will be going to help undocumented workers and artists.
Mental and physical health: providing mental health services and showers for youth and homeless.
There were also a variety of proposals that we were able to send to other funding sources within the county. Some are being contracted to provide food and services through Emergency Operations Center, for example. As a result, we have been able to stretch our limited dollars as far as possible.
Bodega Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, $5,000 for small business support
Russian River Chamber of Commerce, $7,500 to help small business set up online
TLC Child and Family Services, $15,000 basics support
River to Coast Children’s Services, $20,000 basics support
Russian River Alliance (two grants), $10,000 food delivery
The Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship, $10,000 Youth program
Sonoma County Farm Trails, $20,000 Food programs
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, $15,000 Artist Support
Friends of Rio Nido, $5,000 Small business support
Main Stage West, $5,000 online production support
Lazy Bear Fund, Inc., $20,000 food provision from local restaurants
Pets are Loving Support, $5,000 pet supplies and delivery to patients
West County Community Services (two grants), $45,000 showers for homeless and food programs
Russian Riverkeeper on behalf of Clean River Alliance, $5,000 Food delivery
Latino Service Providers, $25,000 basic support
North Bay Organizing Project on behalf of UndocuFund, $25,000 undocumented workers basic support
Are you in the position where you can afford to donate your $1,200 stimulus check? All of the organizations that we are funding above need more. We spread our funds across as many organizations as we could, and all asked for more than we were able to provide. Go to the website of the organizations and projects that interest you and send in your donation!
More Ways to help:
● Food Packers are needed Monday – Friday in Santa Rosa, shifts are from 9 am - 12 pm and 1 - 4 pm. This opportunity is outdoors, so wear layers. Pack your own water and lunch/snacks. Sign up: Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership.
● California Volunteers launched the #CaliforniansForAll service initiative to connect Californians with safe volunteer opportunities and encourage those unable to physically volunteer to think creatively about ways to make a difference in their communities. Visit: https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19
● Know how to sew and want to help provide masks for those in need from frontline workers to the homeless? Connect online with North Bay Sewists Unite! and become part of this mask-making power group.
Frequently Asked Questions and Resources:
● The Virtual Local Assistance Centercan be found atwww.SoCoEmergency.org/Recover , and provides a resource listing of government and support services to help residents.
● Eviction Defense Ordinance: The COVID-19 Eviction Defense Ordinance creates a legal defense for tenants who are being evicted due to non-payment of rent and who can demonstrate financial losses due to lost work or medical expenses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
o Residents may contact Legal Aid Sonoma County at 707-542-1290 or California Rural Legal Assistance at (707) 528-9941 for more information. Related tenant support FAQ’s are posted at Legal Aid’s website https://legalaidsc.org/covid-19-special-notices
● Unemployment Benefits: Community members can get unemployment benefits through the Employee Development Department when they can't work, are being required to work less, or needing to stay home due to a child's school closing down due to coronavirus. Visithttp://bit.ly/2IHzsR1 for more info. We’ve heard of a lot of challenges dealing with unemployment. During this period, Sonoma County Job Link has set up a phone and email hotline to help you navigate worker and business benefits: 707-565-8079 or joblinkbusinessgroup@schsd.org.