Funding Will Address Economic Hardships, Domestic Violence, and the Need for Accurate and Accessible Information in Multiple Languages for Impacted Individuals and Families.
Oakland, April 27, 2020 – This month, the Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) announced the deployment of $100,000 to the COVID-19: A Just East Bay Response Fund established by the East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF). This contribution will address specific needs within communities heavily impacted by COVID-19. Resources will address the immediate flexibility for domestic violence shelters and aid organizations in efforts to meet the needs of low-wage workers to receive basic necessities. Grants will also support efforts in getting accurate information to the most vulnerable communities, including immigrant and non-English-speaking communities.
The COVID-19: A Just East Bay Response Fund was created to provide financial stability to organizations that are working directly with communities and demographics that have been compromised. These high impact populations include undocumented immigrants, unsheltered, those that work in the cash economy (e.g., day laborers, domestic workers), uninsured, youth, victims of domestic violence, low-income seniors, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
“This pandemic is affecting all of Californians, but it’s not doing so equally,” said Carolyn Wang Kong, chief program director at Blue Shield of California Foundation. “Many people cannot afford to create ‘physical distance’ to avoid the virus and struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Additionally, people at risk of domestic violence are uniquely challenged by ‘shelter in place’ requirements, and many Californians are not getting accurate, science-based information in a language they can understand.”
EBCF’s partner organizations have established a tremendously deep and extensive network of relationships with individuals and their families regarding needs. “The organizations we aid are frontline heroes in their communities,” said James Head, President & CEO of the East Bay Community Foundation. “By listening to the needs of constituents in the area, these organizations are best positioned to serve COVID-19 related relief needs. As a result, they have helped to frame EBCF’s approach to ensure that everyone is receiving resources to survive during this time.”
To learn more about the grantees that have received funding through the COVID-19: A Just East Bay Response Fund, please click here. If you are interested in donating to the Fund and would like to learn more about it, details can be found here.
About Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the largest and most trusted philanthropic organizations in California. The Foundation’s bold mission is to build lasting and equitable solutions that make California the healthiest state in the nation and end domestic violence.
About East Bay Community Foundation
Founded in 1928, and supported by over 400 local donors, the East Bay Community Foundation connects donors with community-led movements to eliminate structural barriers, advance racial equity, and create an inclusive, fair, and just East Bay. Recognized as 2019’s “Boldest Community Foundation” by Inside Philanthropy, EBCF is committed to ensuring that all members of our community are treated fairly, with equitable opportunity and outcomes. EBCF has charitable assets under management of over $800 million. For more information, visit ebcf.org.
###
Media Contact
Erin Talbert-Brust
Senior Communications Officer
(510) 208-0822
etbrust@eastbaycf.org