Coronavirus Resource List
As the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies, people self-quarantine, and businesses and schools close around the state, low-income folks, folks experiencing food and housing insecurity, and Black and brown families across the state are losing access to many of the resources they depend upon to survive. We have collected a list of local and national resources and information about the pandemic below. This page will be updated as we learn of new resources. If you have something you would like to share, send to us at info@re-center.org or via Facebook or Instagram messages.
If you are someone who is able, please consider offering support to those who need it at this moment. As Grace Lee Boggs, Detroit activist and Philosopher, stated, “the only way to survive is by taking care of one another.”
Community Support & Resource Lists
“CT CORE is building and facilitating a mutual aid/ community support network throughout Connecticut to ensure that folks in the community can request support or offer support and talents to those who can use them.” Click here to learn more about the Mutual Aid efforts in the Hartford area. To learn more about CT CORE and ways to support them, go to their website here.
CT Mutual Aid (224) – 334-3233: Mutual aid is a powerful way to build strong connections. We all have something to offer and something we need.
Freelancers & Community Resources 2020
Coronavirus crisis resources in Connecticut: From food to legal aid and housing
CWEALF is responding to the immediate needs of our Legal Education clients because it’s critical that every worker in our state knows their rights in the workplace. If you or someone you know need assistance, call CWEALF’s free Legal Education Information & Referral line: 860-524-0601 or email. ¡Se habla español! Read and SHARE our Know Your Rights in the Workplace: COVID-19 guide in English and Spanish.
Opportunities to Donate
The CT UndocuFund– Donate now!
Food
As schools around the state close for various amounts of time, many students risk losing access to the only meal they get each day. Many school districts have announced plans to provide hot and/or cold meals for students. Click a district below to learn about the program they have implemented. If your district is not listed below, we urge you to visit their webpage or contact them directly to find out how and if they will continue providing meals to students.
Foodshare CT will continue providing meals and groceries. To learn about their mobile food share and pantry 2-1-1 programs, click here.
Housing
For information and questions about fair housing protections during COVID-19, click here to read the fact sheets made by CT Fair Housing Center (available in English, Spanish, Madarin, Arabic, and Italian).
The CT Fair Housing Center is providing daily reports on ongoing issues related to the COVID-19 health care crisis. Keep up to date with the link to their website.
Quarantine Sites Available for Homeless with Coronavirus
Health Insurance
In light of the threat coronavirus poses to public health, Access Health CT will allow uninsured individuals to sign up for health insurance coverage starting March 19 until April 2. The only way to sign up for this new Special Enrollment Period is by calling 855-365-2428. Coverage will begin on April 1 for all new enrollees. To learn more, click here.
Information
There are many online places to find information about COVID-19, preventative measures, and resources. Here are some of the pages we are following:
State of Connecticut Official COVID-19 web page
Connecticut COVID-19 Facebook group
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Page
National Council for Behavioral Health COVID-19 info page
World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus Info Page
WHO video on how to protect yourself and limit the spread of COVID-19
Coronavirus Is Our Future | Alanna Shaikh | TEDxSMU – TED Talk to understand public health implications
New COVID-19 Federal and State Laws (Connecticut, New York, New Jersey) from ProBono Partnership
What to do if you need a COVID-19 test in CT
Do not go to the ER unless you are experiencing an emergency.
If you have a doctor, contact them to request a test.
If you do not have a doctor, Call 860-972-8100. They will give you instructions on how to get tested at the drive through locations in CT. This is Hartford Health Care’s Clinical Command Center.
If you think you are experiencing signs or symptoms, you can take a free Coronavirus telehealth assessment here.
For information and support, including where to get tested in Connecticut, call 211
Technology
Increased Access to Internet Coverage for Connecticut Residents
Cell phone discounts and help in CT
Center for Hartford Engagement and Research has been organizing volunteers from campus to offer skills to Hartford-area resources. To learn how to volunteer, click here. They have also compiled this resource list: Community Learning and the Digital Divide.
Comcast is offering two months of free internet service for new customers. Click here to see if you qualify.
Student Technology Hartford
For children who need digital devices for E-Learning at home, we have begun distributing Chromebooks to students. On Monday, March 23rd, devices will be available at the meal distribution locations that are HPS schools (does not include Achievement First). Additional information regarding technology support will be communicated in the coming days and also added to our website.
A student must be present to obtain a device.
If your family doesn’t have internet access, you can obtain it for free from Comcast. Instructions are available on our websites (https://www.hartfordschools.org/helpful-information-about-comcasts-free-internet-access-offer/).
For more up to date information from Hartford Public Schools, visit them online at: https://www.hartfordschools.org/understanding-coronavirus/
Civic Engagement
Connecticut Presidential Primary moved from April 28, 2020 to June 2, 2020
U.S. Census 2020 – Information and link to complete census
Small Business Support
Disaster loans from the US Small Business Administration
Resources for Nonprofits and other small businesses
reSET is hosting an open Zoom call Tuesdays 3-5pm beginning 3/24. This iwill be a chance to share with small business/impact-driven organizations as they adapt to this situation. You are welcome to join and feel free to spread the word. More information here.
Resources for Nonprofits – great list!
List of resources for Nonprofits
Support for Artists
CERF+ serves artists who work in craft disciplines by providing a safety net to support strong and sustainable careers. To learn about their emergency grants and resources for artists, click here.
Artist + Activist Relief Fund (Created by The Soze Foundation, TaskForce and Invisible Hand)
What freelancers need to know about the coronavirus
Grants & Financial Support
Connecticut Council for Philanthropy resources web page
The Nellie Mae Foundation is launching a “rapid response fund to respond to the hate crimes and bias against Asian American communities resulting from COVID-19.” To learn more about the Rapid Response: Racism is a Virus Too grant, click here.
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving COFID-19 Response Fund
Grant Resources for Connecticut Organizations — Round-Up from CT Council on Philanthropy
Grant Resources for Massachusetts Organizations — Round-Up from Philanthropy Massachusetts
Hispanics in Philanthropy: Grant Resources for Latino Organizations
College Student Mini-Relief Grants
COVID-19 Response Fund — United Way of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Foundation
COVID-19 Response Fund — United Way Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
Vermont Covid-19 Response Fund — Vermont Community Foundation
COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund — Maine Community Foundation
Scholly COVID-19 Student Relief Fund
Supports & Resources for Caregivers Who are Home with Kids
Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings
List of ideas for being home with kids
Khan Academy – online free courses
Fighting Words: Poetry in Response to Current Events (Contest & Workshop)
A Big List of Podcasts for Little Kids
Curriki – Free curricula for teachers and families
The Canadian Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) has created an online resource available here. The site includes curated resources for teaching and assessing online, institutional-level resources, personal/team well-being, as well as information about their weekly webinars. The site is being updated on a regular basis, with suggestions for additional resources welcomed via email at edc_communications@stlhe.ca
True Colors will be offering weekly Zoom meetings for adults who are supporting LGBTQ+ youth remotely Wednesdays at 11am and 7pm beginning April 1st. This event will offer an opportunity for educators, clinicians, family members, etc. to share ideas, resources, strategies, and questions about supporting LGBTQ+ youth in these weird new times. Below is the information for the April 1st sessions:
- Wednesday, April 1st: 11:00 AM:
Join URL: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/686051066 - Wednesday, April 1st: 7:00 PM
Join URL: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/185200311
Supports for Educators Navigating Distance Learning
The Google Classroom Cheat Sheets for Teachers & Students
Coronavirus Resources for School Communities
Mystic Seaport Museum is offering virtual programming for all ages
Social Justice in the Age of COVID-19
Convergence in the Crisis: Educational Equity and Social Justice
Sinophobia: How a virus reveals the many ways China is feared
As We Spatially Separate We Must Also Stay Connected
Coronavirus: Wisdom from a Social Justice Lens (Includes a list of links to other articles and resources)
Striving for Equity during a Pandemic
The Digital Divide in the age of COVID-19