Non-profits receive $1 million from United Way, Live Well Wake to help those hardest hit by COVID-19
The United Way of the Greater Triangle and Live Well Wake have partnered together and are distributing $1 million over the next two years to five nonprofits which focus on providing an equitable response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organizations include:
- CASA NC
- Families Together
- Oak City Cares
- Southeastern Wake Adult Day Center
- StandUp-SpeakOut of North Carolina
Their efforts vary. Some are focused on affordable housing, others on working with and caring for older North Carolinians.
"It is going to be years and years for folks who are low income, communities of color to come out of this [pandemic]," said Eric Guckian, United Way of the Greater Triangle's CEO and President.
Disparities are pronounced when comparing DHHS case demographic data to census population information.
Asian American and Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaskan Natives as well as people who identify as Hispanic are significantly overrepresented in the case demographic data compared to population data.
Similarly, older residents have had more cases of COVID, as well.
Census data shows that 22,767 of every 100,000 residents are 65 and older. Meanwhile, there are 41,737 people in that age group, per 100,000, who have tested positive for the virus.
Guckian, the United Way’s CEO, says combating COVID equitably and making sure each North Carolinian has the same access to resources is imperative.
"What we hope is that more people are benefiting from this and can pull out of this pandemic faster and healthier," he said.
The $1 million the United Way is distributing comes from federal funding. Each nonprofit group will receive $100,000 later this month and the same amount in about a year.
