At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, after the lockdown was announced, staff members at World Relief DuPage/Aurora had to quickly pivot from in-person to virtual classes and activities to continue providing many of the services they offer to local immigrants and refugees. WRDA serves more than 2,000 individuals in the Fox Valley, and many were feeling the residual effects of the pandemic as they lost jobs and found it more difficult to pay for rent and utilities.
With a $24,500 grant from the Fox Valley Grantmakers COVID-19 Response Fund, the ESL teachers at World Relief were able to shift from mostly recorded video lessons (once the pandemic started) to hosting live classes on Zoom, which allowed students to better interact with teachers and each other. This means that area immigrants are continuing to learn English while receiving “emotional support and solidarity” during the pandemic. The COVID-19 grant also helped fund rent and utility assistance, meeting direct emergency needs for low-income refugees and other immigrants.
“The effects of the pandemic have been devastating for many refugee and immigrant neighbors here in the greater Aurora area, and it has been heartbreaking to watch many of them lose what they have worked so hard to build in our community. That’s why the support from the Fox Valley Grantmakers has been so critical during this time. It has allowed us to provide both direct financial assistance to some of the families that are struggling the most, and it has made it possible for us to continue providing all of our programs in this new socially distanced, remote world that we’re living in. Thank you so much to the generous foundations that are part of this coalition, and the people and businesses that have donated to support it. Your generosity has helped hundreds of your neighbors during these difficult times. I don’t know what we would have done without you!” – Susan Sperry, executive director, World Relief DuPage/Aurora.
Over a three-week period toward the beginning of the lockdown, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry saw a 300 percent increase in people seeking food support. Many were first-time visitors, newly food insecure due to job loss. Today, Aurora Food Pantry regularly serves as many as 9,000 individuals, or 2,500 families weekly. To ensure the safety of these clients, AAIFP switched to a “drive-through” model in which volunteers deliver pre-packaged boxes of food to clients’ vehicles. Each box contains $115 worth of nutrient-dense meats, produce, dairy, eggs and whole-grain products.
With the sharp increase in demand for food, however, the pantry has needed to buy unprecedented amounts of food on a weekly basis – a daunting expense given the cancellation of upcoming fundraisers due to the pandemic. A $32,000 grant from the Fox Valley Grantmakers COVID-19 Response Fund supported the purchase of additional food so the pantry could continue its mission to “ensure those in the community who are experiencing food insecurity have access to healthy, life-enriching meats, produce, dairy, eggs and whole grain sustenance.”
“The motto at Aurora Food Pantry is that we will feed anyone. No matter where you live; no matter what brought you to our door; No matter what your story is; all are welcome here.” – Cat Battista, executive director, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry Lazarus House
With bunk beds in close proximity to one another, buffet-style self-service at meals, and communal bathrooms, Lazarus House’s emergency homeless shelter could not allow for proper social distancing and safety measures put in place at the beginning of the lockdown.
Thus, Lazarus House decided to temporarily move guests – men, women and children – from the shelter to a nearby hotel, supporting more than 20 rooms as more individuals seek assistance. With $15,000 in support from the Fox Valley Grantmakers COVID-19 Response Fund grant, Lazarus House has been able to continue providing a safe, caring environment for their guests in the hotel, delivering food, toiletries, and PPE daily to each individual as they socially distance themselves in their rooms.
“Last week I read a statement by our Associate executive director, Julie Purcell, that said, ‘Collectively we are now in a position of response.’ That sentiment struck me in reflection of what we are, and have been, doing to navigate these strange last few months. With this grant we were able to continue to stay in a poised, ready position of response. We are incredibly grateful for the Fox Valley Grantmakers in support of keeping our most vulnerable neighbors safely housed during COVID-19.” — Leanne Deister-Goodwin, executive director, Lazarus House
— Fox Valley Grantmakers