Right now, as the coronavirus rapidly spreads across the United States, a lot of big decisions are being made that will impact our everyday lives.

Just today, House members raced back to Washington, D.C. and passed a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package that will give immediate assistance to many Americans. Unfortunately, many immigrant communities are being neglected. But outside of D.C. and the nonstop media cycle, New Americans and people of color, including many NALpistas, are taking action and stepping up. We’re dedicating this week’s roundup to give them—and you—a shoutout for everything you are doing to serve in this unprecedented time.

Here’s a summary of what some of our amazing alumni are doing:

• Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang, along with State Representative Padma Kuppa, joined Asian American groups across Michigan in calling for respectful dialogue toward Asian Americans and urging Michiganders not to attack or discriminate. She also teamed up with our board member and trainer Detroit Councilmember Raquel Castañeda-López and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib to have a virtual story time, helped host a face mask tutorial, and put together a list of coronavirus-related resources, including guidance in Arabic.
• New York State Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz created her own locally relevant COVID-19 resources. She’s been on the streets of New York City, talking to small businesses and seeing what they need during this time of crisis.

• Gabriela Santiago-Romero is working to determine her Detroit community’s needs through a Google form. She’s also launching a donation drive-thru this weekend to help support local aid efforts.
• San Jose Councilmember Lan Diep has used videos to share COVID-19 community updates. He’s been posting updates on his social media channels, including conversations he’s had with local officials about San Jose’s shelter-in-place order. He’s also translated virus-related news and resources into Vietnamese for the city’s sizeable Vietnamese American community.
• Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called for Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order to flatten the curve. She’s also been posting regular video updates on her social media channels. Arizona State Representative Isela Blanc also joined Mayor Romero in raising concern over the governor’s response to COVID-19 and what he considers essential.
• Indiana State Representative Chris Chyung also urged his state’s governor to take action.
• Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas joined other community leaders in demanding that Queens lawmakers step up to pressure Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz to speed up the release of vulnerable detainees on Rikers Island.
• Nabilah Islam shared her personal story and campaign to point out how COVID-19 has exposed our broken health care system.

No matter how big or small the action, we want to thank these leaders and all NALpistas for the work you are doing to keep us all safe and healthy. You are inspiring and are keeping our movement going.

Stay safe and healthy and keep kicking ass—we’ve got your back!

Thanks for all you do,

The NAL Team

P.S. Want to take the next step in your leadership journey? Apply to our new online version of Ready to Win! Application fees are waived and spaces are filling up quickly—submit yours now!