PHL COVID-19 Fund Reaches $10M in Funds Deployed, Continuing to Amplify Regional Community Efforts

PHILADELPHIA, May 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The PHL COVID-19 Fund today announced its fourth round of grants, totaling more than $3.25 million to 101 non-profit organizations serving on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis. The Fund, launched on March 19 and led by the Philadelphia Foundation and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ), has secured $15.8 million in gifts and pledges and granted more than $10 million to 296 non-profit organizations providing vital services to individuals facing the wide-ranging and urgent consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.

In each round, the PHL COVID-19 Fund responds to a wide range of needs faced by communities across the region. This week's round includes grants to several organizations providing critical healthcare services and supplies to vulnerable populations. African Family Health Organization (AFAHO) in West Philadelphia and La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) out of Chester County, both of which are receiving grants this week, serve low-income African American and Latino populations. Those populations, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), are at a disproportionate risk to the effects of COVID-19.

AFAHO provides a range of health, educational and social services for African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees in Philadelphia, regardless of documentation status, language ability or personal need. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of AFAHO's clients out of work and families are desperate for immediate, short-term financial and other support as a result. Additionally, many individuals AFAHO serves are considered essential frontline workers, forced to often work without any protective equipment.

"AFAHO helps those already at the margins of society whose preexisting disparities make them vulnerable to adverse health and social outcomes," said Oni Richards, Executive Director of AFAHO. "Doing this with very little resources is even more daunting, which is why AFAHO is extremely relieved to have been awarded a grant from the PHL COVID-19 Fund. These grant dollars will enable us to continue our relief, advocacy, support and solidarity work with Philadelphia's African and Caribbean immigrant and refugee communities, both documented and undocumented."

Social and economic circumstances compress conditions for minorities and, during public health emergencies, can isolate them from critical resources, reports the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The work of LCH aims to remove this barrier for the individuals they serve through telehealth technology. LCH serves a low-income Latino population who are primarily recent immigrants to the U.S. – some of whom are undocumented.

"We have to move quickly to safeguard our patients, because they are not in an optimal position to defend themselves against this pandemic," said Dr. Mariana Izraelson, CEO of La Comunidad Hispana. "They are still working, their living conditions are often crowded, and they just don't have the same choices many of us enjoy in Chester County."

Patients like Jana, a mother of a 1-year old baby boy who receives services from LCH's Pediatric Center in West Grove. Using telehealth technology, she was able to get quality care for her son, who was experiencing stomach distress, without risking exposure to COVID-19 by leaving home and coming to the office.

When Jana called the office, an LCH nurse was able to screen her over the phone for her son's symptoms and determined that it would be possible to do the visit using telehealth technology.  LCH's Pediatrician, Dr. Brenn, asked all questions she would have asked at an in-person visit and looked at the baby over the video, after which she was able to assure Jana that there was nothing serious to worry about.  Dr. Brenn walked Jana through the care her son would need as he got through his stomach troubles, and Jana expressed relief and gratitude for not needing to risk an in-person visit.

"We cannot underscore enough the significant impact COVID-19 is having across our region," said Pedro Ramos, President & CEO of Philadelphia Foundation. "Our health systems and those providing healthcare measures in varying capacities need support so that the life-saving services they provide can continue without hesitation."

"As the pandemic unfolds, we are seeing that certain communities are more at-risk for contracting COVID-19 or coming down with more serious cases – and often, those same communities face social and economic situations that hinder their access to critical services and stretch their already limited resources to the breaking point," said Bill Golderer, President & CEO of UWPGSNJ. "This round of grants from the PHL COVID-19 Fund ensures that our neighbors who have been hardest hit still have access to safety net and healthcare services to keep them afloat during this unprecedented time."

The PHL COVID-19 Fund prioritizes supporting people who are hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis, such as seniors, people experiencing homelessness, those with disabilities, low-income residents without health insurance, people with substance abuse disorder and survivors of abuse.

The complete list of grantees for the fourth round of funding can be found below and is available at www.PHLCOVID19Fund.org. For more information and updates, follow the fund on Twitter at twitter.com/phlcovid19fund.

The Fund currently totals more than $15.8 million in pledges and contributions, including close to 5,000 donors – individuals, families, foundations, businesses, and institutions. Individuals and organizations can donate and find additional information about the PHL COVID-19 Fund via www.PHLCOVID19Fund.org.

PHL COVID-19 FUND GRANTEES: May 7, 2020
Organizations that received funding in this round are:

About Philadelphia Foundation
Founded in 1918, Philadelphia Foundation strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. Philadelphia Foundation grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation manages more than 1,000 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more, visit philafound.org.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. In Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, United Way fights for youth success and family stability because we LIVE UNITED against intergenerational poverty. For more information about United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey visit www.UnitedForImpact.org.

Contacts:
For Philadelphia Foundation: Melissa Fordyce, 856-430-4661, [email protected]
For United Way: Abby Douglas, 330-208-5554, [email protected]
To Make A Gift: www.PHLCOVID19Fund.org

SOURCE Philadelphia Foundation and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

Related Links

https://www.unitedforimpact.org