Caring in Crisis: Hipower Members Respond to COVID-19
We’re continually inspired by how HiPower members are responding to the affects of the coronavirus on community, family, and business with caring, dedication, and innovation. Here are just a few examples.
Mary Ellen Carroll, Executive Director of the Department of Emergency Management, on the San Francisco Front Lines
Following Mary Ellen Carroll in the news for the past month has given us a compelling behind the scenes view of the dedicated professionals guiding San Francisco’s nation-leading response to the COVID-19 health and safety crisis.
“Many of the people I am working with side-by-side, day-in and day-out, are disaster service workers,” Mary Ellen says. “It is an oath we all take when we accept a position in City government. In our response to this global pandemic it is all hands on deck. So, along with our health care workers, first responders, bus drivers, and grocery store workers, we also have librarians working food banks, accountants staffing housing sites, analysts, managers, planners and administrative staff filling in any and all positions and functions that are needed to support the response. And in doing so, taking some risk in not staying home to stay safe. It is my privilege to work along side them.”
Here are a few of the stories Mary Ellen and her team have been featured in recently:
New use for Moscone Center — behind the scenes at SF’s coronavirus Emergency Operations Center, San Francisco Chronicle, 4/23/20
Hundreds of SF city workers take on ‘emergency’ roles Librarians, election office employees do double duty during pandemic, San Francisco Examiner, 4/15/20
The City That Has Flattened the Coronavirus Curve, The Atlantic, 4/12/20
Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of the Department of Emergency Management, sits with Redman, a labrador that provides emotional support at Moscone Center South. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle
Marjorie Goux, Chief Legal Counsel at Clif Bar & Company, Helps Challenged Nonprofits Lean in to Serve Vulnerable Communities
The COVID-19 pandemic creates unforeseen challenges, particularly for nonprofits and the people and communities they serve. Many are closing their doors as revenues dry up or as shelter-in-place orders mean there are no clients to serve. Others are uniquely placed to increase support to their communities. Nonprofits that can continue to provide help are quickly adapting to create partnerships for the rapid deployment of resources.
Marjorie Goux, a HiPower member and Chief Legal Counsel of Clif Bar & Company, is Chair of the Oakland Public Education Fund Board of Directors (www.oaklandedfund.org). Marjorie reports that the Fund, which already supports Oakland students, is now working overtime to provide critical relief to Oakland families and students. Working with Oakland Unified School District and Mayor Libby Schaaf's office, the Fund launched the COVID-19 RAPID RELIEF FUND, the proceeds of which are being used to provide urgent cash assistance to families, food relief and funds to help students who remain disconnected or under-connected to gain access to on-line learning. To date, this fund raised $1.5M and is starting an additional raise of $2.5M.
For the Oakland Ed Fund, many students are unable to participate in digital distant learning at all without Wi-Fi access or devices to connect. So, the Ed Fund has quickly raised and will disperse funds as part of the OAKLAND COVID-19 RELIEF effort, which will address this disparity and also provide rapid relief for the most at-risk families in schools and ensure that schools are safe and clean for return.
For those in a position to do so, helping others is one of the most effective ways to address the myriad of emotions the COVID-19 pandemic can prompt. HiPower invites you to take steps now to learn how you can support the most vulnerable members of your communities.
Learn more about this important work : $1.5M Raised To Support Oakland Students Impacted During Coronavirus Pandemic, CBS SF Bay Area, 4/21/20
Betsy Tong Shares a Personal Story We Can All Relate to in “Collective Grief: Leaning into the Power of Yet”
Betsy Tong, Business Architect and Hipower Ring 7 member, wrote about losing her mom this year and how COVID-19 grief impacts our identity.
“Normal rituals for closure like saying goodbye or holding a funeral matter are part of the milestones we use to move forward. In a time of social distancing, that just isn’t possible. Families are saying goodbye to loved ones via FaceTime and a mother, a father, a child dies so suddenly and alone…After my mom died, I found myself questioning my worth. She fought to the end, and I wasn't able to save her. The business I helped start no longer feels right for me. These days almost all of us are going through some level of fear, feeling of failure or grief, and questioning as the things we used to pride ourselves in are lost.” Read more.
New Webinar with Financial Focus to Help Small Businesses with COVID-19 Resources
Betsy Tong and Shannon Nash have launched weekly Zoom webinars to help small business owners, entrepreneurs and solopreneurs, and female-owned or minority-owned small businesses navigate the financial impact of COVID-19. Webinars are presented for 45 minutes and include expert CPAs, Attorneys, and Businesses Owners sharing essential information including:
PPP, EIDL, and other government loan programs
Taxes and unemployment insurance benefits Local and Private Funding and Grants
Q&A for all attendees
Learn more and sign up for the next webinar.
Sugarberry profiled Shannon Nash in a recent blog: “Covid-19 Financial Resource Guide For Businesses And Individuals.”
