COVID-19 RESOURCES

Jennifer Pearsall (Alum – Eagle Rock, 2014), Planning Section Chief at New York City Emergency Management Department

I help a team of people do a lot of different things. We organize interagency calls, distribute senior leadership briefings to our partner and agency leaders, produce reports for decision makers, and help our Emergency Operation Center (EOC) team keep a pulse on our response.

Nick Robertson (Alum, North Carolina 2010), Hunger and Nutrition Program Manager at Urban Ministries of Wake County

I run the largest client choice food pantry in eastern NC. We have currently expanded our output of food dramatically to accommodate the sudden spike of job loss.

Shavonda Sisson (Alum – Milwaukee, 2009 & 2010), Program Manager & Director of Alumni Engagement, Public Allies Milwaukee

Sisson has given out more than $6,300 since last Monday to about 50 black women and their families in need and continues to receive an influx of monetary donations to her organization Love on Black Women. Founded in February 2019, the program gives black women and children a quick response to relief— listening to their needs and connecting them with funds through her website and mobile payment services.

Learn more about Shavonda’s amazing efforts by reading the full story here.

Uthman Olowa (Alum, New York 2018), Leadership S.T.E.A.M. Coach at New York Urban League

Spreading awareness about resources available to people of color in overlooked communities that have been hit hard by the pandemic. Visit nyul.org/covid-19-update for PDFs with hyperlinks to resources. The NYUL also hosts virtual town hall events to spread awareness. Visit bit/ly/NYULHEALTHTOWNHALL to register.

Lisa Shipley (Alum – Indianapolis, 2010), Banquet Server at Hy-Vee

I am a night stocker at a grocery store, and I am crocheting connector bands so they can be added to masks (that way the bands are pulled away from the backs of ears).

Margaret Zhang (Alum – Connecticut, 2011), Staff Attorney at Women’s Law Project

I advise pregnant and breastfeeding workers about their rights at work, mostly in relation to potential discrimination, need for accommodation, or right to leave.  For example, pregnant workers who are classified as essential workers may need additional accommodations and protections to stay safe.

Shanice Rigueur (Alum – Miami, 2018), Coordinator at Institute for Civic Engagement & Democracy

I work for the Institute for Civic Engagement & Democracy (ICED), so we’ve been providing students will service opportunities to remain active or supplement class assignments. We also forward information related to food drives or any mental health resources that have been sent by partners to the Miami Dade College community.

Francesca Menes, Aaron McKinney, & Krystina Francois (Miami Alumni, 2008 – 2010), Co-Founders & Board Members at The Black Collective

Through their group The Black Collective, which they co-founded, Francesca, Aaron, and Krystina supported the launch of The Collective Mutual Aid Fund to offer stipends to families and individuals in need in Miami.

Lè Thompson (Alum – Cincinnati, 2016), Clinical Coordinator at UC Health and Owner of Faux Labels Photography

Through her Faux Labels Photography, Lè Thompson started Graduate Project 2020, an initiative in which Thompson takes portraits of high school and college seniors, free of charge. From the ABC9 WPCO article, “Thompson said she hopes the photos provide memories. But she also hopes they serve as a reminder of perseverance. ‘I just hope it shows strength, man … even though this happened … they’re still 2020 strong,’ Thompson said.”

Shaquana Boykin (Alum – New York, 2015), Candidate for New York’s 57th Assembly District

At Whitman Houses in Brooklyn, Shaquana Boykin, Secretary of the resident association, has been volunteering with other residents to distribute groceries and hot meals to seniors and other vulnerable residents at Whitman, Farragut, and Ingersoll Houses, helping to feed about 600 households in total.

“Volunteering during COVID-19 is important to me, because I want NYCHA residents to be seen as a collective of people that can work with NYCHA,” Ms. Boykin said. “We have residents who’ve never worked for NYCHA taking temp jobs to do their part to keep NYCHA clean, and myself and others stepping up to deliver food to seniors and the most vulnerable populations. This is what community power looks like. I am volunteering to bridge the connections and make sure NYCHA residents are informed, NYCHA gets recognition for providing help like others, and for residents to feel safe and have food while New York is on Pause.” (Source here)

Tonya Richardson (Alum – Delaware, 1995), Program Director, National Health Corps – Delaware

As program director of National Health Corps – Delaware, Tonya Richardson is piloting a new AmeriCorps program in New Castle County focused on the ongoing COVID-19 response. Member of the new National Health Corps will conduct work related to vaccine programs and addressing health inequalities associated with the pandemic. To apply, prospective applicants should visit application.nationalhealthcorps.org.