Immigration Task Force    Rapid Response Network of Monterey County    831-293-8113         www.itfmontereycounty.org

Deb Clifford,  Director

Hi everyone,

I sincerely hope each of you continues to be healthy. We have progress to report and a variety of ways you can continue to support immigrant families during this time. Whether you are sheltering in place or beginning to venture out with a protective mask, here are some ways you can be involved:

 

New Spanish-Language Flyer:  

Free & Low-Cost Health Care Locations 

With big thanks to Sandra, who gathered a lot of the information about which health clinics and resources have continued to operate in the County, and to Sari, who provided her translation expertise, we were able to put together the attached 2-page flyer. It shows hours, locations and cost (when applicable) for every location we could identifiy throughout Monterey County.

 

    COVID-19 Hotspots. People who are at risk and without insurance need this information now.

 

Our goal is to get these 10,000 flyers out quickly by sharing them electronically and by delivering them directly to open outlets throughout the County, particularly to the neighborhoods where hotspots have flared up.

 

Right now, Salinas and Alisal have the highest infection rates (zip codes 93905, 93906 and 93901 in that order), followed by Seaside.  We are looking at sending teams of two to laundromats, restaurants doing take-out in those communities, and distributing on car windshields in the effected neighborhoods. 

 

If you feel strong, healthy and are willing to help, please email me early this week to sign up. You MUST wear a mask and gloves. (Gloves actually make it easier to separate the flyers.) 

 

If you live or work in Salinas, Alisal or Seaside and can take some flyers, I am happy to bring them to wherever you are. Please email me using the above link.

 

Roberta in Gonzales has accepted a supply of these flyers, so please let her know if you can help distribute anywhere in South County. 

 

Want to Zoom with Us?

It's been over three long months since we've been able to hold a face-to-face meeting. We now have more possible activities for participation, so the time seems right to try holding a Zoom meeting. Juliet, our Zoom guru, has volunteered to coordinate an online meeting so that more members can attend. If you would like to be part of a larger, online meeting, please email Juliet to let her know you'd like to participate. She will get back to you with the time and date and provide the link to join the call. Hoping to see you soon!

 

Food Distribution: Flexible Volunteers Needed  

Elizabeth Gonzales of the UFW Foundation and Chris Barreras of LULAC have been doing heroes' work procuring food and organizing distributions to areas that the Monterey County Food Bank either can't cover or has had to cut back on due to the increasing need to feed hungry families. The ITF has provided a few volunteers but more are needed.

 

To volunteer: You need to have a very flexible schedule (and nature). Because of the food shortages, they may not know until a day or two before if there will be enough food to give out. You would need to arrive at least half an hour before the distribution time to help set up. If you have Spanish skills, that would really help. You could be helping with distribution itself, checking people in, and giving out literature to those waiting in line (including the hotline, Know Your Rights card and the new Health Clinic flyer). Please email me so we can talk. If it seems like a match, I'll pass your information to Elizabeth.

 

South County Car Caravan

This Saturday, May 23, beginning at 9 am, we will have at least one full caravan driving south to show our gratitude and respect to farmworkers working in the produce fields south of Salinas. If you are interested in participating, please email Sol, Farmworker Thanks Caravan, who will be our volunteer coordinator for this event.

 

Preliminary ground rules: Please make signs in your own home to display from your car or truck, signs should express thanks for the work the campesinos do, only bring people you already share living quarters with, strictly observe social distancing guidelines, stay inside your car and remain in your place in the caravan throughout the drive. Signs can be in Spanish, Mixteco, Triqui, or English. If anyone has a truck or large sound system and would like to participate, please let Sol know.  

 

Community Donation Needs

Important:  The funds from the State of California will begin distribution on Monday. Our local agency, Community Action Board (CAB) is designated by the State to administer these funds. Please let any person you now who may be undocumented and in need of financial help to call 800-228-6820 as soon as possible to begin the process. 

 

NEW: 

Loaves, Fishes and Computers provides low-cost bilingual computers and computer literacy classes. Since schools closed, they have stepped upmightily to provide low-cost laptops and computers to children across the digital divide.  

 

Right now, they are seeking donations to purchase more laptop or desktop computers, your own donated computer or printer (not older than 5 years, please), and - important - anyone who may have a source who can help them make a bulk discounted purchase or obtain a bulk donation of computers.

 

Details available on this link. Please help immigrant kids get access to distance learning for the upcoming school year!

 

Continuing Need: 

The following groups will have continuing needs well after the shelter-in-place order is eased. Please do whatever you can to help.

 

– UNITE HERE! Local 483. Many Local 483 members are part of our organization. They are hospitality and restaurant workers, many of whom are Seaside residents. Today, because the hospitality industry is virtually shut down here, some 95% of the Local members are not employed. All donations will go directly to those families in greatest need. Please Donate to Help Working Familes now.

 

– UndocuFund Monterey Bay is raising funds to assist undocumented immigrant families of the Monterey Bay area. Through local vetting partners, residents use a simple application to request one-time emergency funds from $100-$500 during this pandemic. Funds can be applied to rent, groceries, medical expenses, or whatever is needed. Please donate here.

 

– Home Healthcare Workers. We just finished assembling the first 144 self-care kits for local home healthcare workers, many of whom are low-paid recent immigrants. The initial kit includes hand santizer, mask, a bottle of Meyers liquid soap, a Know Your Rights card, hotline card, and Health Resources flyer. SEIU will distribute these to home healthcare workers living or working in the COVID-19 hotspots. To help create more kits, please donate via the Immigration Task Force web site. Show respect and appreciation for those who provide direct care inside people's homes with a self-care kit.

 

– Food Bank for Monterey County. This is an ongoing need for the foreseeable future.

 

To each of you who has donated - and those who are about to - thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you in person again, some time soon. 

 

~Deb