In the coming days you may be receiving a payment from the federal government through the CARES Act. For many in our community, these funds will help them stay afloat during the crisis, but if you're able to use it to help others, here are some worthy reasons we'd ask that you consider donating it to 5CHC’s Urgent Need Fund.
5CHC is not immune to the impacts of COVID. We have cancelled at least one fundraising event, and will likely need to cancel or postpone others.
In the last month, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 5CHC' s staff has been asked to jump into warp drive. We have fielded twice the number of requests for assistance as in a normal month, including 16 new requests for rental assistance to prevent homelessness and 11 new requests to assist homeless families move into housing. This is in addition to the many families already receiving case management services.
The good news is that we're able to make a difference and help. As we've fielded new requests this month, we've also helped 8 families move into housing and prevented eviction for another 12. These families have been working with us on average for 6 months, and some more than a year, to stabilize their housing.
As we work to respond to increased requests for our core programs, such as housing support, benefits advocacy and homeless youth services, 5CHC has also stepped forward to assist with emerging and urgent needs. We've expanded our services to provide food and coordinate other services. We taken steps to provide lodging to some very elderly highly-vulnerable neighbors who are homeless, although we have not had the resources to meet all of the requests we have received. And as the COVID virus runs its course, we anticipate being asked to increase services even more.
Our staff members remain active in the community, answering calls for assistance, housing homeless families, helping others keep their home, finding life-saving supplies for those who can’t do it themselves, and making sure that those who are most vulnerable know that they are not forgotten.
Thank you for caring and doing your part today to support families in need in South County.
Janna Nichols, Executive Director
