Edit (4/15/20): see our latest blog posts here and here for additional lists of COVID-19 responses and resources.

Dear People's Alliance members,

Hopefully this note finds you and your families healthy and calm amidst all the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the course of the past week, it has become apparent that we as a collective society need to be taking decisive measures to contain the virus’ spread. 

Effective immediately, the People’s Alliance will move all work, meetings, and events to virtual spaces for the next two weeks. The PA Board of Directors will reassess this policy as needed going forward.

This pandemic likely has many of us sharing feelings of concern for loved ones, anxiety about jobs and income, and uncertainty about what’s to come. It’s easy to feel isolated at times like this. We at the People’s Alliance believe the best way to fight isolation is through taking action to help others.

Please read the list below to find ways that you and fellow PA members can act in solidarity with those needing support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Even during this public health crisis, Durham proves to be as vibrant a community as ever. In the spirit of community care and mutual aid, we want to lift up some community responses to COVID-19 to which PA members can contribute their time and resources. Let’s do what we can to support our students, neighbors, and local businesses.

As local, state, and national leaders have reiterated, it is important for us to follow protocols of social distancing and practicing necessary hygiene. Despite the life-altering changes that we are collectively experiencing, let us continue to take care of each other -- and ourselves.

Durham Community Responses to COVID-19

Please note: these resources have been recommended by PA members. However, the PA has not independently verified their accuracy, legitimacy, or safety, and the PA disclaims responsibility for them. Thus, you assume any and all risks associated with accessing these resources if you decide to do so. We wish all Durham community members the best during these difficult times.

Nonprofits & Neighborhoods

Donations to Durham Public Schools Foundation will provide necessary funds for supporting critical needs identified by DPS and community partners such as meals and remote learning resources. DPS Foundation is coordinating directly with our school district and youth-serving nonprofits to ensure COVID-19 support efforts are aligned and resources are allocated to the most pressing needs. Donate here to make sure no one goes hungry or falls behind because of COVID-19. 

Meals on Wheels Durham is accepting donations to support their food service to vulnerable Durham residents and COVID-19 response. It’s also accepting volunteers to help deliver meals and provide other forms of support. 

Durham Rescue Mission is taking donations. Contribute here.

East Durham Children’s Initiative is requesting donations to support their work with families in the community. Pitch in here.

Senior PharmAssist is providing seniors prescription support. Chip in to support their work.

El Centro Hispano, Inc. is among the list of local organizations that have organized funds to address local needs and is compiling community resources. Help them continue their work.

Durham T.R.Y. provides peer supports for resilience around health & safety. Donate here.

Workers & Local Businesses

Raise Up NC, a PA partner, is doing a digital campaign around paid sick days and union rights in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Low- wage workers will be hit hard. To help, please take the following actions:

1. Sign and circulate this petition demanding McDonalds provides its workers with paid sick days and implements other commonsense policies to support the hundreds of thousands of frontline workers dealing with potentially devastating economic and public health effects of the spreading virus.
2. Gather short videos and/or pictures and quotes from your members in support of low-wage workers. Raise Up NC is calling for paid sick days and union rights. Videos/photos should be HORIZONTAL, in a well-lit place, framed from the stomach up, and fill the image frame. They will post the videos/pics and quotes on our social media pages. Please send them to [email protected] and [email protected]

Zweli’s restaurant was instrumental in responding to the McDougald Terrace crisis. Like many small businesses, they now could use help themselves to financially weather the COVID19 situation. Chip into a GoFundMe for them here.

This Google Doc links to a growing list of small businesses in Durham to support due to  closures and other lost revenue caused by COVID-19. There's no administration on this - donors make direct contributions via links provided by the folks who add their info. Please help out those you can!

Individuals & Mutual Aid Networks

McDougald Terrace residents continue to need our time, support, and donations. Please consider donating: low-sodium non-perishable items, bread, jelly, and activities for the kids. Additionally, in order to continue her operation out of 51B Ridgeway Avenue, Ashley Canady needs us. We are in immediate need of 32 drivers who can commit to delivering supplies to hotels on Mondays and Thursdays at 10am, every week until mid-April at least. (Please note that this week it will be on Friday due to maintenance work.) Supplies will be packaged and ready for you to simply pick up and drop off. We foresee this being a little to no human contact opportunity, as we are mindful of ongoing health concerns. If you can assist with this effort, please email Nana Asante Smith at [email protected]. This is a great way to not only support the residents and their children, but also to support Ashley to allow her to continue all of her important efforts.

Funds donated to the Durham Artist Relief Fund go directly to artists and arts presenters in Durham who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19, with priority given to to BIPOC artists, transgender & nonbinary artists, and disabled artists (note: they will try to help as many artists with need in Durham as they can). Donate here.

This Google Doc links to a growing list of individuals in Durham whose livelihoods are being impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. There's no administration on this - donors make direct contributions via links provided by the folks who add their info. Please help out those you can!

The COVID19/Coronavirus Mutual Aid in Durham, NC Facebook group is a place to connect with neighbors, form neighborhood pods, share resources, and organize for mutual aid during the pandemic. Join here. Bull City Responds is serving a similar purpose. Check them out here.

The local Democratic Socialists of America chapter, NC Piedmont DSA, is working with Day One Disaster Relief to recruit volunteers to sort and deliver supplies to people around the Triangle. Click here for the link to the intake form. In addition, this DSA chapter, along with Mutual Aid Carrboro, set up a fund to provide cash assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak. They have raised over $5,000 so far, but more will be needed s. Donate to that fund here. Finally, if you or someone you know needs funds, they can find English, Spanish, and Chinese versions of the application form here. 

Southern Vision Alliance is compiling a mutual aid mapping tool to identify organizations that can provide or need assistance. Find the growing list here.

Donations to the NC COVID-19 Rapid Response fund will be distributed to the most critical need, in the most equitable way possible. It is being established as a partnership with Day One Disaster Relief and supported by community leaders: Mayor Steve Schewel;  City Council Members: Vernetta Alston, Javiera Caballero, DeDreana Freeman, Jillian Johnson, Mark-Anthony Middleton, and Charlie Reece; and members of The Durham County Board of Commissioners. Here is their GoFundMe.

Communities in Partnership have been providing food and resource support for residents in a co-op model. Support their work.