Outreach and Partner Ministries

Best Practices for Food Pantries
Advocacy for Vulnerable Populations 
Reducing Social Stigma during a Public Health Crisis
Employment and Financial Crises
Homelessness and COVID-19
Managing Anxiety and Stress
Coronavirus and Addiction

Best Practices for Food Pantries

Keep those who are food-insecure and volunteers safe during this pandemic with these best practices.

Advocacy for Vulnerable Populations 

Information and Actions from the Office of Government Relations (OGR) of the Episcopal Church

• OGR is grateful for all who advocated for the recently passed stimulus bill. Thank Congress for passing it.
• OGR Statement and Recommendations on COVID-19

Immigrants and COVID-19 - Undocumented immigrants cannot access most means-tested benefits nor have access to health insurance. If they are sick, they are far less likely to seek treatment.  Read more

Letter from Interfaith Criminal Justice Coalition to President Trump - The incarcerated are especially vulnerable during this pandemic.  The letter details how our government can protect the incarcerated.

International Response on COVID-19 -from the Episcopal Church USA

Mission and Outreach During the Time of COVID

Diocesan presentation by Aisha Huertas (slides) (notes)

Reducing Social Stigma during a Public Health Crisis

Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma toward people, places, or things. This guide will help you counter stigma during the COVID-19 response.

Employment and Financial Crises

Virginia Career Works - Help for the Unemployed  
A Guide to Finding Work During the Coronavirus Pandemic 
Quick Guide to Community Resources for Congregations - connections for unemployment insurance, health insurance, free meals & groceries, child care and concerns related to evictions and utilities. A great one-sheeter provided by our partner Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 

Homelessness and COVID-19

Persons experiencing homelessness may be at a greater risk of infection. These resources help homeless service providers plan, prepare and respond.

• CDC Interim guidance for homeless service providers
• Updates and Guidance from the National Low Income Housing Coalition
• Hand-washing Stations
• Guidance and tools from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness

Managing Anxiety and Stress

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people, but especially for those in the front line, the elderly, the food insecure and those living with mental health conditions.

• CDC Ideas for coping and helping others cope
• National Alliance on Mental Illness – Coronavirus
• Resources from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• A Blog from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Coronavirus and Addiction

• An article on how to protect your recovery during a pandemic.
• An article from Psychology Today on how the current crisis can present challenges to some in recovery.