COVID-19 Responses
As the COVID-19 response moved forward throughout 2020, assistance to families was continuously reviewed. Starting last reporting period and continuing in the second half of the year, additional controls have been put in place to review the amount of assistance provided for each family and ensure funds are being spent responsibly.
The impact of COVID has provided the Steering Committee the impetus to ensure consistent and frequent communication, particularly among a core group of Committee members and ensure quick decision-making related to funding and community supports. This has resulted in cohesion among that core set of members and key engagement between Metropolitan Family Services, Steering Committee leadership and WeGo
Together, alongside ongoing collaboration with District 33. In the second half of 2020, the WeGo Together structure have allowed new partnerships to effectively address community needs arising out of the pandemic. St. Andrew Lutheran Church mobilized quickly in the early days of the pandemic to provide food relief to families. However, new partnerships with other faith communities, the People’s Resource Center, Healthy West Chicago and other community organizations have expanded what St. Andrew’s have been able to provide.
Through these new partnerships, expanded food distributions, flu shots,information, and mobile COVID testing are examples of the on-site supports available due to those working collaborations.
-United Way Neighborhod Network Grant Report, 2020
