Community Initiatives’ fiscally sponsored project partners act in service to the most vulnerable and marginalized members of communities in the U.S. People around the world are curious about how to support communities with the most need.
Our partner project leaders exemplify how nonprofits adapt during times of crises. They authentically fulfill the needs of their neighbors and communities when government, public and private entities cannot.
In the News
Several of our project partners have been busy getting the word out about their work.
José González, founder of Latino Outdoors, has shared safe ways we can still enjoy the outdoors amidst “stay-at-home” orders. Jose’s opinion piece on COVID-19 was picked up by Mother’s Jones. Gonzalez was also featured as a guest on KQED’s live show Forum.
Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works, was interviewed by Minnesota’s Twin Cities’ Pioneer Press about the impact COVID-19 has on school attendance. Chang said that COVID-19 is exposing systemic inequities that were already in existence before the virus caused schools to switch to virtual teaching.
Iliana Perez, director of research and entrepreneurship of Immigrants Rising, wrote a piece for CalMatters to discuss how entrepreneurship is proving to be one of the main ways undocumented immigrants contribute to the American workforce, particularly now during this crisis.
Jon Funabiki, executive director of Renaissance Journalism, shared that they have started an emergency relief fund to provide grants to smaller community-based news organizations while advertising revenue slows. Their support helped El Tímpano launch an innovative effort to inform Spanish-speaking residents in East Oakland about Census 2020. El Tímpano is a local reporting lab that works in collaboration with Oakland residents and community partners to create empowering, two-way channels of information.
North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance’s Program Director Erika Fleury spoke with the New York Times about what primate sanctuaries are doing to protect their residents and staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
Providing Support No Matter WhatWhether it is a special event or daily support, many projects have found ways to interpret their programs’ goals as virtual experiences to meet social distancing requirements.
Castro Country Club has been recognized for taking their addiction recovery support and fellowship online during COVID-19. Read the story on Hoodline about how they’ve been able to keep supporting their community.
El/La Para TransLatinas is promoting several virtual events through their Facebook page, and are featured in this shared SF COVID-19 (Coronavirus) LGBTQ Resource List.
Educational ResourcesMany of our projects reach educational sectors, and their response has been to offer content and educational materials to schools and families who are in charge of their kids’ remote schooling during this time.
More than 6,000 people have already registered for Attendance Works‘ upcoming webinar on “Engaging Students and Families During COVID-19” on Friday, May 15 at 11 am PT.
Ziggy Khan of Mission Science Workshop said her team is producing Zoom classroom activities to help provide content to students as their in-person programs have been canceled for the rest of the year. MSW is working with their partner schools to keep providing programs that help with educational content.
Maura McKnight of Business Council on Climate Change brings together large companies in San Francisco to collaborate on climate solutions. While their work is focused on making energy conservation top of mind for larger groups of people, they have shifted gears during pandemic restrictions to provide educational resources for kids to use at home in the community.
We will continue to update this list. If you would like to learn more about our projects, please see a list of them here or contact Communications Manager, Natalie Yemenidjian at natalie@communityin.org.