United Way COVID-19 Response COVID-19 Response: Invisible Problems

The United States has an infamously disjointed election system with each state, county, and even sometimes individual cities having different election processes. As we continue to face down this pandemic, election day nears ever closer and we need to act decisively, and at a large scale, to help voters register for absentee or vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots and understand how they work. Countless studies have shown that voting... more »

I work at HyVee in the online shopping department. We have received many calls from seniors wanting to place an order for groceries over the phone. Our company only takes orders placed online. I hate telling people I can't help them get their food and that I do not know of anyone who can. Sometimes I even get it myself after work. I have looked into starting a business just to take phone orders but found that the task... more »

Immigrant communities of color have been particularly hard-hit by Covid-19 because these immigrants often have low-paying jobs where social distancing is impossible and they cannot afford not to work. Sadly, these immigrants face deeper risk under the federal government's new "public charge" immigration rule that went into effect in late February as the virus began to spread. The public charge rule has left many immigrants... more »

I am very concerned about the capabilities and sustainability of critical non-profits in light of increasing demands and diminished resources. Given the likelihood of long-term physical distancing, how will human services and education be delivered effectively? Do our CBOs have adequate technology or do the clients served have adequate digital literacy, technology and broadband access to be connected and served? It is... more »

Many families* get tax relief for covering the cost of childcare through Dependent Care Flexible Savings Accounts (DCFSAs) which cover eligible expenses like daycare, afterschool care, and summer camp. During open enrollment each year, workers can decide how much to save pre-tax to these accounts based on their expected childcare expenses for the upcoming year. Now that most children are home indefinitely and the economic... more »

Since they deal with trash, included discarded masks and gloves, I think the sanitation workers in my county should have PPE.