5 ways to help those struggling during the COVID pandemic
It is not an overstatement to sum up this past year as one of extremes and unprecedented times — for all of us. Throughout Fairfield County, our state and our nation, we were all thrust into crisis mode and had to pivot to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent needs that surfaced.
As emphasized in the 2019 Fairfield County Community Wellbeing Index, far too many Connecticut residents were already facing unacceptable and unequitable gaps in income, employment, housing, education and healthcare based on race, ethnicity and gender. Residents of our region have not — and are not — experiencing the pandemic equally. COVID-19 has magnified and exacerbated these already significant gaps.
The pandemic also created immediate needs and long-term challenges for Fairfield County residents and the nonprofit and comon
munity-based organizations which they rely for survival, with front-line directservice providers acutely impacted.
Here are 5 places you can donate:
1. Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
The COVID-19 Resiliency Fund’s purpose is to help alleviate the social and economic consequences of the global pandemic by meeting the basic needs of local residents in Fairfield County and to prevent the widening of disparities in education, employment, housing and health. To donate: FCCFoundation.org/COVID19 ResiliencyFundDonate.
2. United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
As a result of COVID-19, access to healthy food, a home, transportation and child care — the basic necessities for many — has become unreliable. Through their United We Rise: Rebuilding Stronger campaign, United Way is responding, immediately and innovatively, to solve problems, guide the community and ease the burden shouldered by people in every town they serve.
To donate: unitedwaycfc.org/donation
3. United Way of Western Connecticut
The ALICE Emergency
As emphasized in the 2019 Fairfield County Community Wellbeing Index, far too many Connecticut residents were already facing unacceptable and unequitable gaps in income, employment, housing, education and healthcare based on race, ethnicity and gender.
Fund — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — was created by United Way of Western Connecticut to get food and money for necessities to those who are suffering the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To donate: uwwesternct.org/give
4. Family Centers
To meet the growing needs of the community during the ongoing pandemic, the Family Centers COVID-19 Emergency Response Team is communicating regularly and taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of staff and the 22,000 children, families and individuals they serve.
To donate: familycenters. org/products
5. LiveGirl Inc.
A Connecticut-based nonprofit, LiveGirl’s mission is to prepare the next generation of diverse female leaders with the skills, community and connections so that all girls may thrive and make a positive impact on the world. When the pandemic hit, the organization moved all its regular offerings online and added community programming to help families cope with COVID-19 stress, anxiety and uncertainty. To donate: golivegirl.org/donate
Juanita James is president and CEO of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Its goal is eliminate disparities in income, education, employment, housing and health.