We are all deep into the COVID-19 pandemic and have faced a variety of challenges. Some of us have lost loved ones to this disease, others have been laid off or furloughed, others have been made to work from home, or we’ve had to learn how to be homeschool teachers. Others have to continue to head out every day, working on the front lines and helping to keep life moving. We are all stressed in various ways; no one could have predicted the magnitude of this pandemic nor has any of us really seen a global situation like this in our lifetime. I’m trying to provide information in this post about resources and help at the local level. I’ve listed several categories that include different areas of help, from financial to mental health and everything in between.
As an aside, please, one thing I would beg of you during this time above anything else: be kind. Choose kindness whenever and wherever you can. We are ALL struggling – it is not a competition of who has it worse.
Food Resources: The United Way of Greater Atlanta has a resource page with information on how to get food, whether through food pantries, food lines, meal delivery, or free school meal distribution. Another quick way through the Atlanta Community Food Bank to find food is to text the words FindFood (all one word) or comida (in Spanish) to 888-976-2232.
Housing Info: Whether you are a renter, homeowner, property owner or landlord, the Mayor of the city of Atlanta has created a website, atlstrong.org with FAQs regarding housing issues. Details information on how to find out if where you live is covered by rent moratorium, suggested steps for if you cannot pay your rent/mortgage, etc.You can also visit http://211online.unitedwayatlanta.org/ for assistance or call 2-1-1 on your phone.
Childcare: Are you an essential worker in need of childcare? Quality Care for Children is keeping track of childcare centers that are still open. Find them at http://www.qualityrated.org/ or call 1-877- ALL GA KIDS 877-255-4254 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays. You can also visit the YMCA’s first responders site at https://ymcaatlanta.org/firstresponders/.
Mental Health: Everyone is struggling with the current situation to some degree or another. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has put together a comprehensive document on COVID-19 including many resources for things you can do to help yourself, like meditation, breathing, and connecting to communities online. E-counseling.com also has a list of top online therapy services.
Small Businesses: Locally, the Atlanta mayor has established a fund to help small businesses during this time. Fill out the brief survey and learn more about the $7 million the City of Atlanta has allocated to help with various areas, including small businesses.
There’s more! These websites have some comprehensive resources from legal aid, to utility help, benefits questions (DFCS, SNAP, unemployment, etc.) and more:
- https://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/coronavirus/
- http://211online.unitedwayatlanta.org/
- https://atlstrong.org/
- https://www.georgialegalaid.org/resource/covid-19-resource-list
- https://www.metroatlantachamber.com/covid-19-resources
- https://www.ajc.com/news/your-money-resources-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/Jek7pE28VNTCwVuymxPF0N/
Are you in a position to help? 11Alive has a great article on local resources and ways you can help or give back if you are still in a position to do so. Remember, we’re all in this together! And please, as our community, if you’ve got a resource I haven’t mentioned, please comment to add it to this list!
