COVID-19 Response Fund Aids Warwick Nonprofits

WARWICK, RI — As the pandemic closed public spaces,  the homeless were unable charge devices needed for safety news, so House of Hope Community Development Corporation provided solar chargers, expenses the $2.1 million COVID-19 Response Fund will help them meet.

“Every single day we work with people who are experiencing chronic homelessness; who are constantly fighting for their lives. The impact that COVID-19 has had on them has heightened all of their needs tenfold,” said Laura Jaworski, executive director at House of Hope.

The organization received $75,000 from the fund, created by the Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island, for operational support like technology that enables staff to work remotely as well as direct client support, including grocery gift cards, tents, sleeping bags, bottled water, ready-to-eat food and personal hygiene items.

In addition to House of Hope, the Parent Support Network, the Tamarisk Assisted Living Center, Thrive Behavioral Health, the Trudeau Center, Southpointe Christian Church and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) are among the organizations receiving grants in thE latest round of funding. The Foundation and United Way have now awarded a total of $5.7 million since March 27.

“The need is beyond even what we expected. While generous donors have already contributed $7 million, we’re seeing demand for funding grow even faster. Our backlog of applications significantly exceeds the resources that are left and we expect requests will grow by several million dollars, which is why we must keep raising money for the fund in all amounts,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation.

The grants ranged from $10,000 to $75,000.  Many will help local nonprofits provide food, housing and health care to Rhode Islanders affected by the crisis. Additionally, funding was awarded for medical supplies for care providers facing unprecedented challenges to maintain operations and deliver services to those most in need.

• RICADV will provide direct cash assistance for basic needs to women and children who have experienced domestic violence and live below the poverty level.
• Southpointe will provide up to $500 per single-parent household to help cover rent and childcare, utility, transportation and food expenses.
• Thrive Behavioral Health will provide clients and staff with equipment and supplies.
• Tamarisk will support over 80 residents, expand cleaning expenses and buy personal protection equipment.
• The Trudeau Center will assist hundreds of clients and continue critical family support and early intervention services.
• The Parent Support Network will deliver basic supplies and provide virtual peer support groups and recovery mutual aid groups for over 100 people with significant mental health and substance-use challenges and 140 high-risk families.

Gifts to the fund, in any amount, can be made with the Foundation at rifoundation.org/covid19response or to United Way at uwri.org. Donations will be accepted as long as the need continues.