When COVID-19 hit, SaintA staff were ready to assist. We introduced SaintA CARES as an effort to support the families in our care who have been most impacted by the pandemic.
Our approach to COVID-19 is modeled after our Five Pillars of Stability, which prioritizes access to education, employment, health, housing and caring connections. These pillars are the social and basic necessities for stability success.
Assisting with distributing food to those in need was one of our top priorities. We provided 125 grocery gift cards to families in our care, served catered meals to frontline staff in five Milwaukee youth group homes and assessment centers and made monetary donations to two local food pantries. It was all made possible through the $32,000 raised from donors. In addition, support came from the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation. Through a generous grant, we were able to provide 158 families with tablets and Wi-Fi so children and families could continue distance learning access therapy.
Some of the first people affected by COVID-19 in the Milwaukee area were African American. The effects of the pandemic have only exaggerated how difficult stability has become in certain populations.
As we enter our 170th year in the Milwaukee community, SaintA is committed to creating healing and offering hope, while facilitating learning, healing, and wellness by restoring connections that help children and families thrive.