SocialWorks for Social Distancing: Ways to Assist & Receive Help During COVID-19
SocialWorks for Social Distancing:
Ways to Assist & Receive Help During COVID-19
Relief looks different for many right now. Essential employees, caretakers, parents, students, individuals experiencing homelessness, remote workers, are all facing unique challenges that pertain to our immediate and distant needs. To help your situation, SocialWorks presents “SocialWorks for Social Distancing,” an evolving list of resources to assist your evolving needs. Keep up with this campaign using #sworks4socialdistancing or text ‘SocialWorks’ to 797979!
Headspace offering all US healthcare professionals free access to Headspace+ through 2020.
Sworkshops: A Prom Fundraiser
This series aims to inspire and educate, connecting individuals to local and national creatives, sharing their professions, interests, and hobbies! This campaign will directly fundraise a graduation/prom celebration for students within the Chicagoland area when safe. While we can’t promise when it’ll be safe to reconvene, we can promise you’ll have something to do! Attend a Sworkshop!
Scholly’s Student Relief Fund
Apply today to receive $200 in cash assistance to help cover expenses during this global crisis. The application takes less than two minutes!
SocialWorks’ #30DaysofOpenMike Challenge
SocialWorks is hosting a #30DaysofOpenMike Challenge to inspire young people through the arts!
Here’s how it works:
• Every Sunday morning, SocialWorks will post the new prompts for the week and the winner of the previous week.
• High school students from ANYWHERE in the world 🌎 can post an image or 1-minute recording responding to the prompt of the day on social media (IG and/or Twitter)! Just write a description of your art in the caption + use the hashtag #30DaysofOpenMike!
Play SocialWorks’ student-coded video game, Super Me, here.
HML Coloring Sheets
220 is offering its flagship online course (The Leadership Course) for students at no cost for the rest of this semester. The Leadership Course is a self-paced online course designed to help students build confidence, leadership, and motivation. Check it out here.
Hebru Brantley’s
Coloring Book
Monday, Hebru Brantley released a FREE coloring book to keep individuals entertained while at home.
CS Activities for Students and Families
Chicago Public School’s computer science department, CS4ALL, released a list of unplugged and online computer science activities for educators to modify and for students to try at home! This is a living document, and with your help, CS4ALL will update it throughout the coming weeks. Check it out here!
Support Kids of the Kingdom
KOK is a SocialWorks staple. In lieu of the recent pandemic, Kids of the Kingdom Gala has been postponed. If camp can resume, June 24th it will! Donations towards KOK will help SocialWorks provide this 7-week summer day camp
Contribute here!
Ali Six’s Coloring Book!
Ali Six uploaded 4 coloring pages on his site that will only be available for a week then next week a new 4 will be uploaded. If you don’t have procreate you’re can trace off a computer screen. Please stay inside, once this is all over I will make physical copies. Find the link here!
GoodKidMadCity – Supports Youth through CashApp Payments!
We’re giving away $50 to 10 18-24y/o who need #EmergencyFunds. Drop your cashapp if you’re in Chicago or Baltimore! Share your story! Find more information here!
RISE is a free, daily meditation between 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Join us Monday through Friday via Instagram Live (@thetriibechicago) or Facebook Live (@thetriibe) to learn some tools to help you cope mentally and spiritually with the world right now. View social media accounts here: Instagram & Facebook!
The team at Little Kids Rock is committed to doing all we can do to help you, your kids, and your communities to thrive and survive during this outbreak. Together, we’ll find solutions to help ensure that our students continue to learn, grow, and benefit from the transformational power of music, even when we all have to stay away from the classroom. View here!
Experience Chicago online: Virtual tours & digital experiences
Chicago is home to awe-inspiring museums, iconic architecture, and world-famous sites — and you can explore them all from the comfort of your home. These digital resources allow you to experience Chicago in a new way, from virtual tours to digitized art collections. View here!
The mission of Pandemic of Love is to match a person in need of help with a patron who has signed up offering to assist. Those matched are then introduced through email and are able to personally connect to decide how best to meet the need. Our patrons are helping with basic needs such as groceries, medication, gas, diapers, rent, and utilities. Sign up here.
Chicago COVID-19 Hardship and Help Page – The Chicago COVID-19 Hardship and Help page was created by Chicago organizers Kelly Hayes and Delia Galindo to offer a simple way for people in the Chicago area to ask others for assistance during this crisis. Whether you are a parent whose income has dried up, a struggling freelancer, or enduring any other financial strife during this crisis, please feel free to share your story and ask for whatever financial help you need. To post a request, you can fill out this form.
Embarc at Home!
Embarc put together a guide to help you bring rich conversation to your home, whether across the dining table, over the phone, or on FaceTime. Embarc at home has adapted this guide from their Community Social, one of their most popular experiences!
Chicago Children’s Museum exhibits may be for kids—but their Parenting Playbook has parents and caregivers covered too. Follow along for tips, tricks, and secrets from our experts and friends. View Here
WHERE: Wicker Park (1482 N. Milwaukee Ave) & Lincoln Park (1538 N Clybourn Ave)
Information: FREE take-out lunches every day from 11am-2pm for kids 18 and under! No purchase necessary. Order online at Kizuki.com! *Pick-up only*
Obama Foundation’s – Stories of Hope
Even in this uncertain time, we can still find reasons for hope! The Obama Foundation gathered stories of people from every corner of the globe carrying out selfless acts in this time of need. Think of it as the virtual hug you (maybe) didn’t know you needed. The OF team will continue to add to this steady stream of global hope, but we’d like your help. Tell us about the stories—big and small—that are lifting your spirits here. Read more stories here.
LyftUp Driver Task Force
The task force will allow drivers to help out with direct on-the-ground needs in their community. Delivery would include medical supplies and test kits and meals for kids and seniors in need that would be picked up from distribution centers and dropped off without contact.
Joining this task force will give you access to updates and opportunities to serve your communities in this unique time of need. Sign up to help here.
Stores offer shopping time for seniors & vulnerable customers
Costco Wholesale Club starts a twice-weekly senior hour March 24. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, members 60 and older can shop from 8 to 9 a.m. at all locations except Business Centers.
Walgreens also starts a new Tuesday weekly senior hour from 8 to 9 a.m., open to caregivers and immediate families, as well.
From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers 60 and older. The designated hour will start one hour before the retailer’s 5,000-plus U.S. stores open.
COVID-19 Tenant Organizing Toolkit
The Autonomous Tenants Union (ATU) is an all-volunteer organization committed to organizing for housing justice from below and to the left. As an independent collective based in Chicago, we strategize together to defend and enforce our right to dignified housing. We believe that housing is a human right, not a commodity! We fight for an end to all evictions, and for community control of housing through the building of popular power. Find resources here!
Our science activities and experiments are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up, quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are heaps of fun! Plus, our supplies lists usually contain only free or cheap materials you can source from home! Check out the science experiments here!
Therapy for Black Girls
What advice can you share with other parents during this time? If you haven’t already listened to these sessions on the Therapy For Black Girls Podcast, click the link!
‘Get It And Go Home’ Care Packages At Quarry’s Little Free Library
‘Get It And Go Home’ Care Packages With Books, Art Supplies Available At Quarry’s Little Free Library. The pre-sanitized bags include pages from Chance the Rapper and Hebru Brantley coloring books as well as snacks, Clorox wipes and more.
Care packages with books and activities are now available at the Quarry Event Center’s Little Free Library to keep neighbors of all ages occupied during the coronavirus pandemic.
#ScratchAtHome!
#ScratchAtHome provides children, families, and educators with ideas for engaging in creative learning activities using the free Scratch coding environment. We will update this page several times a week with new activities! View #ScratchAtHome here
All-Stars Project Virtual Performance Offerings
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation designed especially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world. View here!
CPS Remote Learning Packets
CPS has prepared standards-aligned activities to support student learning while schools are closed due to COVID-19. These Remote Learning Packets include a range of projects that students can work on independently or with help from an adult. Elementary Remote Learning Packets are organized by grade level. High School Remote Learning Packets are organized by Course. All Remote Learning Packets will be available in English and Spanish and will be posted bi-weekly throughout the remainder of the closure. View here!
The city of Chicago is seeking experienced workers immediately. The City of Chicago is looking for people to staff our temporary shelters and support those less fortunate than ourselves. Find industry-specific resources and opportunities for jobs seekers here!
Apply For Support!
If you are an artist in need of relief funds, click here to take the application survey and apply for relief.
Support Chicago Creatives!
This fund was created by Chicago-area artists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund aims to support the greater Chicago arts community experiencing financial repercussions due to pandemic-related cancellations.
Priority of the Chicago Artist Relief Fund will be given to BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and People of Color] artists, transgender & nonbinary & queer artists, and disabled artists.
Through May 31st, we’re significantly increasing the amount our Artists earn from each and every sale.*
Each and every time you purchase from Threadless, you’re directly supporting independent artists and small businesses around the world. That’s powerful! Whether you’re looking to show off your unique style or enhance your living space, the designs you choose to buy are supporting the artists that made them.
Do you have a friend that’s struggling financially, or know of any restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other small businesses that could use a leg up? We can get them set up with an Artist Shop! All we need them to do is email their logo to start@threadless.com and we’ll set them up with a merch store so you can support them by buying their designs. Spread the word, and let folks know about this initiative!
During this very trying time for millions of people around the world, LMB is offering our services to support small businesses that were forced to close down their storefronts. We are committed to helping our community and ask any owners who would like to sell their products online to email us at Servcies@DigitalLMB.com asap so we can get you all up and running and making revenue!
The Reader staff is excited to introduce our first-ever fundraising coloring book. More than 50 local artists contributed to this coloring book in FOUR days!
It’s a mix of illustrations, from legendary Chicagoans, architecture, fun illustrations of pets, transit, and more. We are splitting proceeds with these artists, as we all struggle with the financial repercussions of the coronavirus.
Consider purchasing this limited printing edition or donating to the Reader so we can continue producing independent journalism for Chicago, by Chicago. Contribute here!
We accept donations from individuals, foundations, and public sources. All of the donated funds will go directly to artists and arts organizations.
Because of the magnitude of this crisis, we anticipate more requests for funding than there are funds to distribute. Although there is no explicit deadline, it may be necessary to close the applications when the funds are expended. Should additional funding become available, the applications will reopen. Applicants who have applied before closure, but have not yet been considered, will not need to reapply should the applications reopen.
For more information and resources for artists, visit our FAQ.
Join Second City every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday @7PM – 8PM CST! FREE RSVP HERE
Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
As we maneuver to address COVID-19, there has and will be a huge economic impact on the arts community, especially individual and teaching artists of color. If you are a BIPOC artists or administrators in financial need, please access this application form to understand how we plan to distribute funds and apply for any available money that is generated. View here!
Refuge Live Employee Relief Fund: Due to the coronavirus REFUGE LIVE has been closed down until further notice. We are asking that you all take the time to donate anything you can during this devastating period. The money will be evenly divided between the staff to cover all funds we have missed out on while being shut down. We have absolutely no idea when we will get our jobs back or when we will see our next paycheck. We appreciate any and all help!
Furloughed Relief Food Donation: Anyone who’s been furloughed is welcome to join the Furloughed Relief starting this Wednesday for meal donations. Pick up between 4pm – 6:30pm!
Operation Give Back – Sully’s Staff
This campaign is a way of us helping out Sullivan’s staff in this very difficult time. Covid-19 has been disastrous to all in the industry but through teamwork, we will get through this with your help. All proceeds of this campaign will go directly to our staff. Consider helping however you can. Thank you!
RESTAURANT WORKERS RELIEF PROGRAM
Due to the closure of restaurants in Chicago, hospitality workers have an urgent need for assistance for the thousands who find themselves suddenly without work, without a paycheck, and without a support system. To support this program and our restaurant community donate to LEEInitiative.org
WHAT’S NEEDED: Everyone must show ID and have identifying paperwork to prove recent employment at a restaurant. A paystub will suffice in most cases.
Lettuce Employee Emergency Relief Fund
Our team has set up The Lettuce Entertain You Employee Emergency Relief Fund to contribute to the financial support of our Lettuce team members during this national health emergency. Our family has set aside $1 million to get this fund started.
We ask that you consider making a donation to contribute. Every dollar counts no donation is too small – or simply sharing this post – could have a large impact on the livelihood of these employees.
City of Chicago List of CV-19 Resources
The list can be found here
Give N Kind – Nonprofit Needs During COVID – 19: Hello Nonprofits! GiveNkind wants to help you find the resources you need. In response to COVID-19, many community members are looking to help but don’t know-how. Please complete as much of this form as you can to share special items, volunteer opportunities, and funding links that we can circulate to those who may be able to help! Stay safe and thank you for all you do for our communities
In partnership with the City of Chicago and United Way of Metro Chicago, the Chicago Community Trust launched the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund to unite the funds raised by Chicago’s philanthropies, corporations and individuals to be disbursed to nonprofit organizations across the region. A contribution means support to the agencies and individuals that are ensuring families can access basic needs in this time of crisis. Donate Here
Streetwise – Emergency Vendor Fund
With declining sales, our vendors need support now so they don’t lose their hotel rooms, single room occupancies or apartments and end up on the streets or in a shelter. And because many of them are in immunosuppressed conditions, they could get very sick or even die. “This is literally the difference between life and death for our vendors and fellow Chicagoans—I cannot stress that enough,” said Pete Kadens, StreetWise Chairman Emeritus. With the lockdown beginning on Saturday, our vendors who have worked so hard to build their businesses are facing an imminent threat to their livelihood if we don’t step in! Donate Here
Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund
The City of Chicago recognizes that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has put a difficult burden on our small business community. As a response to this challenge, the City is establishing a $100 million Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, which will help to provide small businesses with emergency cash flow during this immediate health crisis. Funds will be provided to eligible businesses as low-interest loans.
Applications for the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund will begin to be accepted on March 31, 2020. Find more information here!
If you are a philanthropic institution or corporation interested in contributing to this fund, please submit your information to resiliency.fund@cityofchicago.org.
Community Purchased Meals for a Neighbor in Need
Purchase meals for those who have been impacted by COVID-19 in Evanston and the surrounding communities.
Soul & Smoke will cook and individually package the meals and offer free no-touch deliveries to anyone in need in the community.
You may also purchase meals to be sent directly to yourself or someone you know. Contribute here!
#GiveTogetherNow Chicago Fund
In response to economic hardships brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chicago Independent Restaurants and the Illinois Cash Coalition have come together to create the #GiveTogetherNow Chicago fund. This fund will offer impacted hospitality workers, seniors, and those with underlying medical conditions access to a one-time $500 cash transfer to offset financial burdens caused by the efforts to contain Covid-19. 100% of all funds raised will go directly to impacted households in Chicago.
There are several ways to invest in the #GiveTogetherNow Chicago Fund:
- Online Donations: ww.fii.org/chicago — please choose CHICAGO under designation
- Wire Transfer: Please contact ebony@fii.org
- Check Donation: FII-National, 663 13th St Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94612
- Stock Donation: Please contact Ann Doyle at ann@fii.org
Loretto Hospital COVID-19 Support Fund
The world is facing a public health crisis and there is a shortage of N95 masks, isolation masks and gowns, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, nitrile gloves, face shields and other critical medical supplies necessary to protect hospitals’ front-line health care workers and first responders. There is also an urgent need for increased hospital bed capacity, specifically for those experiencing critical complications from COVID-19. Contribute Here.
“Tips for Teaching with #ScratchAtHome” with Scratch
Wednesday, April 8th // 2PM – 3PMCT – Twitter: @Scratch
Reimagining Black Education Spaces with Project OneTen
Tuesday, April 7th // 5PM – 6:30PMCT – Facebook: @Projectoneten
Centered – Mentally Finding Your Way in the “New Normal” with Rwenshaun Miller
Friday, April 3rd // 3PM – 6:30PMCT – Register
Earth Hour 2020 Virtual Film Screening with Sierra Club
Saturday, March 28th // 7PM – 8:30PMCT – Register
Read-A-Book Day with Mr. Dads Fathers Club
Friday, March 27th // 12PM – 2PMCT – Facebook: mr.dadsfathersclub
Pandemic (All Day DJ Party) – Urban Fetes
Friday, March 27th // 11AM – 1AMCT – Facebook: Urban Fetes
Young Chicago Authors Presents: WordPlay
Tuesday, March 24th // 6pm – 8:30pmCT – IG: @youngchicagoauthors
Lil Epic Online Design Party
Monday, March 23rd // 6pmCT – https://shor.by/lilepicdesign