It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic hit our country, and our communities, quickly and with an unpredictable strength. This left many vulnerable populations out of work, and without access to essential resources like money, food, medication, and childcare.

It was heartening to see us, as individuals and organizations, put what we may have considered “normal” business aside to rush to the aid of those most in need, only to realize that this moment highlights exactly what our normal business is all about: creating equitable and sustainable solutions for our neighbors in need. 

We’re proud to have partnered with other local organizations who are deeply-committed creating thriving, equitable communities, and eternally-grateful to our over 100 donors who gave over $100,000 to relief and recovery efforts. We have moved on to disbursing recovery funds, and have partnered with the Virginia 30 Day Fund to raise another $100,000 to be distributed as forgivable loans to early education centers and minority-owned businesses in our community. 

There’s more work to be done. We will continue to find ways to address the systems and structures that have created many of the inequities this COVID-19 outbreak illuminated. We assure that this is not the end to United Way’s response to the pandemic and its consequences. The immediacy of needs related to COVID-19 illuminated many of the issues we strive to tackle in our impact work on a daily basis.

Thank you for your support of our work, and we hope that you’ll continue to help us create sustainable and equitable solutions that help individuals and families live financially stable lives, and reduce the number of residents in our area living in poverty.

Thank you to our generous donors who gave $1,000 or more to the Community Emergency Response Fund (CERF)