There’s a lot to think about and a lot to do before re-opening your nonprofit or community organization. Most important is to have a clear, comprehensive plan that adheres to state and local guidance and is well communicated to staff and clients. Then be sure to continually review and improve it. Our friends at the Metrowest Health Foundation have put together a great guide with resources and tips here. Please take a look.
Posted on May 18, 2020
The Sudbury Foundation is working to best support our local communities and nonprofit partners during this unsettling time. Like most of you, our plans are evolving and shifting as circumstances unfold. For now, we wanted you to know about a few decisions that are confirmed:
Staff is currently working remotely. The best way to contact us is via email. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or updates.
We are in awe of your efforts to serve your constituents and fulfill your mission. Thank you! Please remember to take a break and care for yourselves as well.
Be safe and stay healthy!
From all of us at the Sudbury Foundation
P.S. For Coronavirus resources, please visit: https://sudburyfoundation.org/resources-keeping-up-with-covid-19/
Posted on April 8, 2020
HOW TO SUPPORT SUDBURY RESIDENTS DURING COVID-19 FROM THE SUDBURY TOWN SOCIAL WORKER
https://sudbury.ma.us/…/ways-to-support-sudbury-residents-…/
Visit the Board of Health website for frequent updates. Beware of scams. Research and be thoughtful before donating goods or money to ensure legitimacy.
VOLUNTEERING:
NEIGHBOR BRIGADE: Onboarding volunteers to deliver groceries and other needed items.https://www.neighborbrigade.org/ Scroll down on website and click on “Volunteer” icon.
SUDBURY SENIOR CENTER: Currently in need of volunteers to deliver groceries, but there is potential for future volunteer opportunities as well. Please email Janet Lipkin, Volunteer Coordinator, at LipkinJ@sudbury.ma.us
Connect with your clergy for other opportunities.
GIFT CARDS & FINANCIAL DONATIONS:
HOPESUDBURY: The Sudbury Board of Health Social Work Office is working with HOPEsudbury to collect and donate gift cards to those without other access to resources.
Gift cards for places that deliver (grocery, pharmacy, large box stores, online retailers, restaurants) and debit gift cards to help pay bills are most helpful.
Mail or drop off gift cards to: Melissa Perla, 35 Shadow Oak Drive Sudbury, MA 01776. If dropping off cards, please email Melissa with expected drop off time at: mhulse88@gmail.com
HOPEsudbury also provides emergency financial support by directly paying bills for those in need in Sudbury.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – ST. ANSELM CONFERENCE: Provides emergency financial support by directly paying bills for those in need. They also connect residents with concrete goods and resources when they are able. Donate via check: 100 Landham Road, Sudbury, MA 01776. Donate via Paypal: svdp.stanselm@gmail.com
BLOOD DRIVES:
AMERICAN RED CROSS is facing a severe blood shortage and has a list of donation sites. To schedule a new blood drive: contact Bill Forsyth at (617) 699-3808 or email Forsyth@redcross.org.
First Baptist Church Blood Drives: Click here to view upcoming dates and make an appointment.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
EMERSON HOSPITAL: Requests for goggles, medical gowns, hand sanitizer, and masks (including homemade following provided patterns).
Thanks to Bethany Hadvab and the Sudbury Board of Healthy for compiling these and other resource lists:
COVID-19 Resource Guide: https://sudbury.ma.us/socialworker/2020/03/26/comprehensive-covid-19-resource-guide/
COVID-19 Infomration & Updates: https://sudbury.ma.us/health/2020/03/29/coronavirus/
Posted on March 29, 2020
In light of COVID-19, the world is very different today than just last week. It’s important to keep up to date with what’s going on without being overloaded or overwhelmed. We plan to provide links to useful resources in this space and we hope to keep them relevant and timely. These resources are constantly changing so check back often to see if they are still active. If you have other resources to suggest, please don’t hesitate to send them along to us. In the meantime, please stay safe and keep your social distance.
Mass. Nonprofit Network
(Lots of links on the virus, policy updates, resources and guidance for nonprofits)
COVID-19 Resources from Sudbury Town Social Worker
MetroWest Resources from Sen. Karen Spilka’s Office
Network of Care Massachusetts
(Mental health and substance abuse resources)
Other Resources for nonprofit clients from Foundation for MetroWest
Re-Opening: Things to Consider from the MetroWest Health Foundation
Funding Opportunities for MetroWest Nonprofits
MetroWest Emergency Relief Fund from Foundation for MetroWest
Feed Framingham COVID-19 Fund from Foundation for MetroWest
COVID-19 Emergency Grants from the MetroWest Health Foundation
Funds to Donate to:
Philanthropy Massachusetts list of Diasater and Emergency Relief Funds
Foundation for MetroWest has created two new Funds: the MetroWest Emergency Relief Fund and the Feed Framingham COVID-19 Fund
Updated on April 14, 2020
Thanks to our friends from SPARK Kindness.
1. Practice self care + calming practice. This is highly individual! Do what brings you comfort. Breathing, meditation, spiritual practice, cup of tea, yoga can all be helpful.
2. Look to the heroes & show gratitude – as Greater Good Science says, when we focus on those who are helping (healthcare workers, public servants) “we feel what is called moral elevation—a warm feeling inside that inspires us, fueling optimism and a desire to act altruistically ourselves.”
3. Practice compassion – a powerful practice “acknowledges our vulnerability and it brings out our strengths so that we can be a lamp, a bridge a source of medicine to the hearts of others and ourselves…” (from J. Kornfield’s excellent meditation.)
4. Focus on what you can control – As the American Foundation for Sjuicide Prevention recommends “separate what is in your control from what is not. There are things you can do, and it’s helpful to focus on those.” Wash your hands. Eat healthy. Sleep.
5. Maintain social connections – email, call, and video chat with friends and family. Use this as a time to catch up with others. (Find time to laugh and feel joy!)
6. Limit the news – think of this as a healthy diet for your mind – watch your intake. You deserve to protect your mind from overwhelm. (And limit exposure to people who overwhelm you with negative news.)
7. Exercise & get outside – fresh air and sunshine do wonders. Nature has a unique ability to calm and show that after the storms of life, all will be well. Exercise is a great way to promote mental and physical health and the feeling of strength!
8. Work on a productive project – declutter the house, bake, create… Action is an antidote to anxiety.
9. Derive comfort from common humanity – the Benson Henry Institute suggests deriving comfort from the fact that we are all in this together and there are experts across the globe helping.
10. Get professional help if needed – Check out the new Network of Care Massachusetts for a listing of mental health and substance abuse-related resources. massachusetts.networkofcare.org.
Posted on March 17, 2020
Foundation for MetroWest (FFMW) recently completed and launched its Impact MetroWest project, an interactive data website which identifies more than 50 indicators that measure quality of life in the region. The goal of the project is to bring awareness to and drive action around the strengths and challenges facing communities in MetroWest.
Much of the data support the common belief that things in Metrowest are pretty great: The region has a well-educated workforce, high median incomes, low unemployment, and a robust high-tech sector. The area boasts increasing diversity, impressive high school graduation rates, and declining crime rates.
But, the data shows, the region also has an aging population, scarce affordable housing, inadequate transportation options, rising income inequality and homelessness, and a wide disparity in educational outcomes.
Impact MetroWest features thousands of data points in areas ranging from demographics and the economy to education and cultural life. In addition to providing a comprehensive portrait of the region, the interactive website allows users to search statistics on their own communities. Nonprofits can use the data to drive their programs and services and to make their case for support to donors and funders.
Some of the findings:
The number of residents 60 to 84 years old rose by 38 percent from 2000 to 2018, while the number of those aged 20 to 39 fell by 1 percent. Homelessness has risen 45 percent since 2007. Most third-graders were “proficient” readers overall, but just 36 percent of African-American students and 34 percent of Latino students met that standard.
FFMW plans to update the data every two years.
Take a few minutes to peruse the site. There’s a lot to learn and you will easily get hooked.
Posted on January 25, 2020
