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United Way of the National Capital Area Expands The Reach of Its Support of the Community During Pandemic In Areas of Health and Financial Stability

May 06, 2020

 

WASHINGTON, DC (May 6, 2020)— United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) continues to meet the demands of the community in the areas of access to food and basic needs and is now expanding support through its Emergency Assistance Fund to organizations in the areas of health and financial stability. Specifically, the fund has delivered more than $700,000 in additional capacity to 30 organizations and programs to date that are geared toward providing healthy meals to frontline hospital personnel, health, and medical resources and financial coaching and guidance.

“Your United Way has its boots on the ground in the areas where our community needs the most support to weather through this pandemic and the financial, emotional and physical impact it’s taking on our neighbors,” said Rosie Allen-Herring, President and CEO of United Way of the National Capital Area. “Because of our organization’s incredible partners, we’ve been able to further extend resources to ensure that our neighbors continue to have access to food and basic needs, healthcare and are able to lean on experts that can help them with financial planning during this crisis. We’re incredibly grateful for their investments in our community.”

Pepco was the initial lead contributor to the United Way NCA Emergency Assistance Fund and along with the Exelon Foundation, has made another investment in the fund. New companies that have contributed to the Emergency Assistance Fund since it launched include Deloitte, Washington Gas, Coca-Cola Consolidated, EY, Philip L. Graham Fund, and Meyer Foundation.

“We were proud to be the first to support this much-needed Emergency Assistance Fund and having seen the response and the tremendous need in the community, we were compelled to step up again in an even bigger way,” said Dave Velazquez, president, and CEO of Pepco Holdings. “To know that Pepco’s grant with United Way’s guidance and valued stewardship is helping us support our customers during this time makes us humbled and proud to be part of the solution. We will continue to stand by United Way and this community in these unprecedented times.”

Money raised is still being used to support community-based organizations in the region providing much-needed services, including food and basic needs distribution, while also expanding to those providing health and mental health programs, social services, and more.

“We are eternally grateful to United Way and to the companies that have come together to provide this life-saving emergency funding,” said Maria Gomez, President and CEO of Mary’s Center. “Mary’s Center has not qualified for the PPP federal stimulus funding during the pandemic, and yet, our participants’ healthcare and behavioral health needs have dramatically increased as they are facing one of the most challenging times in their lives; this funding will help us retain our essential frontline staff who are helping combat this beast! ”

Additional organizations now being supported by the EAF include:

  • Action in Community Through Service of Prince William
  • Goodwill of Greater Washington
  • Mary’s Center
  • LIFT-DC
  • Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
  • Loudoun Hunger Relief
  • Community Services Agency of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO
  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
  • Washington Area Women’s Foundation
  • Culmore Clinic
  • Arlington Free Clinic
  • Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington
  • HealthWorks for Northern Virginia
  • United Community Ministries
  • Britepaths
  • District Alliance for Safe Housing
  • Windows Catering
  • Women’s Center
  • Miriam’s Kitchen
  • Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce
  • Uptown Catering
  • Sardis Catering
  • Geppetto Catering

The EAF is also helping organizations focused on the needs of the region’s workforce as there are a significant number of workers facing the loss of unrecoverable wages due to layoffs and businesses closing.

“Goodwill of Greater Washington is honored to have the generous support of the United Way NCA as we continue to walk beside our 600 furloughed associates,” said Catherine Meloy, President & CEO, Goodwill of Greater Washington. “This gift will allow us to support our team members as they prepare to transition back to employment in our retail stores. Reopening our stores will allow Goodwill to once again generate critical funding for our job training, education and employment programs so critically needed right now by our community.”

“The restaurant industry across this region, and nationwide, is in need of relief and recovery and we are grateful for partners in our region, like United Way who are including restaurant operators in small business relief measures,” said Kathy E. Hollinger, President and CEO, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. “This operational assistance will directly support small business in Prince George’s County as the funding will provide them with ServSafe training as they bring employees and managers back on board, and to support marketing efforts as we begin various phases of small business recovery in Prince George’s County and across the DC Metropolitan Area.”

Additionally, United Way NCA’s Financial Empowerment Centers (FEC) in DC, Prince George’s County, MD, South County, and Prince William’s County, VA have gone virtual providing financial counseling and coaching to help residents stretch their dollars during furloughs, layoffs or reductions in income. Specifically, the FECs provide free financial coaching, small business counseling, and tax preparation by IRS qualified volunteers. Those in need can receive help while practicing social distancing by telephone, video conferencing, or by mail. Virtual libraries, webinars, and workshops are also available to further help the community’s financial stability.

“Our Financial Empowerment Centers have been inundated with calls and communication from our community members who need help navigating how to apply for unemployment, SBA loans, and other public services being provided to help bridge the gap in loss of wages,” said Dirk Butler, Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement, the United Way of the National Capital Area. “We’re adapting to the demands and making sure each person who comes to us gets the financial planning help they need to make wise decisions and keep afloat during this time.”

For more information about United Way NCA’s FECs, please visit here/. For more information about United Way NCA Emergency Assistance Fund, visit here.

About United Way of the National Capital Area

United Way of the National Capital Area fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in the National Capital community. United Way NCA has been improving lives by creating measurable impact in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties for more than 45 years. For more information about United Way of the National Capital Area, visit UnitedWayNCA.org.

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