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Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. I am grateful to being able to write this message to you. As MCN responds to the COVID-19 crisis, we are dedicated to ensure that our community members have the most up-to-date information available.
MCN held a Muslim stakeholder meeting on March 31st, to understand the needs arising in the Muslim community. We learned that there are three critical needs arising in the Muslim community:
1. Need for isolation centers for families living in intergenerational households. Hotels/Motels can play a role in this.
2. Coordinating halal-food groceries/meals delivery to elderly and homebound families.
3. Creating a Muslim CBO resource sheet/ hotline to help Muslim community members access volunteers and services.
I'm happy to announce that we are launching a COVID-19 response hotline for the Muslim community. The hotline consists of volunteers taking calls from individuals who may need a service or have questions. Volunteers fill out the intake form from the call and MCN responds to the need by using our referral sheet consisting of all the services available from the city and non-profits.
This is where we are going to need some help. If you are able to volunteer in helping us field calls and fill out the intake form from the community members, please fill out this volunteer sign-up sheet below:
1. Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet:
https://forms.gle/J16RdYNjzQBiPRVU6
As we build out our volunteer service program through MCNServes, we hope to be able to fill in the service need in the community. We also acknowledge the incredible work being done by volunteers throughout the city, and we hope this can be one additional resource our community members can utilize.
Here's an updated round-up of resources available:
CASH ASSISTANCE:
1. Coronavirus Relief Fund organized by the Islamic Center of NYU, Penny Appeal USA, and Celebrate Mercy: https://pennyappealusa.org/grants/covid-19-financial-hardship-grant
2. The Zakat Fund of NYC: https://www.cognitoforms.com/Emaan/ApplicationForm
FOOD ASSISTANCE:
3. The City of New York is serving three meals per day, including Halal and vegetarian options at NYC public schools, they also have a host of other food services: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/contact/services/COVID-19FoodAssistance.shtml
4. Locate a Food Bank of NY Pantry near you: https://www.foodbanknyc.org/get-help/
UNEMPLOYMENT:
5. Claim your Unemployment Insurance Benefit: https://labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm
HEALTH ASSISTANCE:
6. Check out NYC-Care - championed by the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Services to get free access to health care, currently in Brooklyn & Staten Island: https://www.nyccare.nyc/
7. For mental health services: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/
8. For Domestic Violence Resources, NYC's 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline (800-621-4673)
IMMIGRATION:
9. Call the ACTION NYC Hotline for any immigration-related questions: 1-800-354-0365 or visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/legal-services/actionnyc.page
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES/NONPROFITS:
10. The NYC Office of Small Business Services has a host of resources for small businesses. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sbs/businesses/covid19-business-outreach.page
11. Apply for the Small Business Disaster Injury Loan Advance now: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance
12. The Nonprofit Finance Fund is issuing loans to nonprofits in New York who are in need of financial assistance: https://nff.org/nyc-covid-19-recovery-fund
In the meantime, make sure you join us for a discussion with city and federal agencies on the CARES Act on Thursday, April 9th, 2020 to learn how individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits are impacted by this act in NYC.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with us for any questions or concerns. Our email address is [email protected] and phone number, (646) 661-5422.
In Solidarity,
Executive Director
Muslim Community Network
FOUR ACTION ITEMS FOR THOSE SEEKING TO DO GOOD FROM HOME:
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