Emergency Help for Students & Families Impacted by COVID-19

With COVID-19 we need help! Children First has social services team (social workers, practicum students, case managers, and therapist) in six neighborhoods, based in schools. They are working hard to get basic food, hygiene, cleaning supplies, etc. to low-income families, many who have been laid off as hourly workers. With funding we will be able to keep the social worker employeed to keep them helping families. In addition, funds will be used for emergency food and supplies given directly to families. 

Next steps include purchasing food and supplies, as well continued payroll support for the social workers. 

As stated by the Children First Executive Director, "I am standing outside the store talking with my daughter. A woman drives up in an old van, rolls down her window and starts crying. She needs gasoline, food, and help. Her husband lost his job and now on a respirator in the hospital (maybe COVID, but she didn’t say). She lost her job with no unemployment checks arriving yet, no stimulus payment arrived, her cell phone bill is due, and today they take her husband off the respirator. Plus, she is exhausted, more tears. With Children First Basic Needs Pantry dollars, we were able to put gasoline in the van. In addition, someone on the social services team will follow up with her. Thank you to everyone who supports Children First so that we can make a difference in our community right away."