The ZOOM Meeting went SO well - thank you to all who attended and for Kristin Rezek for taking precious time from her scheduled to us about how we can help. I am leaving the quick crisis numbers at the bottom for the time being - forward to friends in need. It was lovely to see everyone's faces and connect.
Summary of Why These Organizations Rise to the Top of the List
Domestic Violence Calls are up 25%, and they went from having a large percentage of "I think my friend has an issue..." to "I am having an issue with my partner right now and I need help"
Due to Covid - the contract nurses usually used by the Crisis Center had to be stopped because they were UAB nurses who had a high probability of being exposed to Covid. 4 Nurses are sharing the 24/7 duties.
Homeless Shelters have stopped letting in more people due to social distancing rules and sheltering "at home"
YW, One Place, HICA, and many others are also on a very slim staff to limit exposure and cut costs. Even with the "Safer at Home" order there are still issues with high risk employees needing to stay home and the economic situation of each organization can be complicated with the shut down.
Food Pantries are out of food.
Not everyone qualifies for unemployment - even if you are a citizen, it is complicated. Everything from having to have lived in AL for 12-18 months to making a certain amount of money.
YWCA
Ways to help YWCA 1. Wish list on website. May ship directly or start a collection. If you choose to collect items an appointment must be made in order to deliver to YMCA for safety purposes during this time. 2. Women and families at YMCA desperately need masks 3. Purse & Passion virtual luncheon to learn more about the YWCA.  4. Donate gift cards. Biggest need is for gas cards, Lyft or Uber cards. 5. Donate online
Ways to help CC
1. Donate to wish list. Happy to have collections dropped at my house and will deliver.
2. Join Amazon Smile and designate Crisis Center to receive donations from sales of Amazon
3. Donate online
One Place
Ways to help OP
1. Check out wish list
2. Immediate needs are water and canned sodasÂ
3. Gift cards to Target or Wal-Mart
4. Join Amazon Smile and designate One Place to receive donations from sales of Amazon
5. Donate online
Ways to help HICA
1. Immediate and Urgent needs is food. Best way to donate is through Wal-Mart gift cards
2. Donate online
Also something easy to do for all these fabulous organizations or other organizations you support is to follow them on social media, like their posts and share away! Â
United Way’s 211 service can help you find any type of assistance that you need, whether it is food, shelter, clothing, utility assistance, and more. If you are in the Birmingham area and need assistance, dial 211 for United Way Referral Line
BLOOD DRIVE, MAY 5. Trinity will host a blood drive in partnership with the Red Cross on Tuesday, May 5. It will be held in the Oxmoor campus GYM from 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM. For an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROS(S) (1-800-733-2767), download the Blood Donor App, or go online to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: TUMCHWD. To save time, complete your Rapid Pass before you arrive ON THE DAY OF by clicking here. NOTE: All donors will need a photo ID and will be required to wear a mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided.
Census!
1. Census response rates in the US
2. New Census deadline 10/31
3. Challenge to be intentional with discussing Census and challenging friends/those whom you have influence over
4. Jeffco COVID-19 Unified Command website: Jefferson County, Alabama Open Data