Since May, our Ambassador Network has been involved in causes across the country helping those most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Foundation understands how a little can go a long way for any organization aiding the frontlines in their local communities, so we decided to allow our ambassadors to apply for immediate emergency mini-grants of $250 to increase access to coronavirus relief efforts in their communities. From Oakland, California to Austin, Texas and Rockville, Maryland to Boston, Massachusetts, the Foundation has already approved several grants to help those from Red Hook help those across the country who need help the most.
Over the past few months, the AFF Directors have been meeting to figure out the best way to serve our communities. The Foundation is currently supporting a number of initiatives in the Red Hook community during this time, and we remain inspired by the ways our Ambassadors continue to show up, listen to those in need, and put collaborative service into action. During times of uncertainty, change, and disaster, it’s critical to stay connected to where we came from, where we currently are, and where we hope to go together. Our hope is to equip our ambassadors not only to the Red Hook community, but their local communities as well.
As our Ambassadors continue to advocate for different causes in their communities during the coronavirus pandemic, the Foundation will keep an updated list of the organizations they are working to support.
Tessa Rothwell advocated for Red Hook Responds
Along with a $10,000 grant from the Ascienzo Family Foundation, several ambassadors have advocated for Red Hook Responds through the emergency mini-grant opportunity. Their mission statement says it best: “Red Hook Responds coordinates, enhances and supports the existing and new volunteer efforts in the Red Hook area. It harnesses volunteers in a centralized location where people work together to maximize the programs already in place. A volunteer portal places volunteers with appropriate programs based on skills and interests. Red Hook Responds improves communication between groups within the community doing similar volunteer efforts. Red Hook Responds works in collaboration with elected officials in the Town and Village of Red Hook and the Village of Tivoli. Red Hook Eats is a sub-committee of Red Hook Responds which will focus on helping with preparation of food and delivery to homebound and ill during a crisis. Funds raised are used to facilitate ongoing, current and future needs in the greater Red Hook community.”
Iana Robitaille advocated for the Austin Justice Coalition
Iana advocated for Austin Justice Coalition (AJC), which serves people who are historically and systematically impacted by gentrification, segregation, over policing, a lack of educational and employment opportunities, and other institutional forms of racism in Austin. AJC's work is focused on defunding/limiting the scope of the criminal justice system, providing transformative justice for BIPOC in Austin, identifying and dismantling white supremacy within the the city's structures, driving local policy research and initiatives, and providing educational/financial resources to local BIPOC communities. AJC has been a community leader in recent peaceful protests and rallies, has hosted online opportunities for anti-racism learning and work, is working with other local organizations to provide direct support to families and individuals in need as a result of COVID-19, and has driven the effort to push our City Council toward defunding APD and allocating those resources in other places.
Isaac Reichman advocated for My Block, My Hood, My City
Isaac advocated for My Block, My Hood, My City in Chicago, which “provides underprivileged youth with an awareness of the world and opportunities beyond their neighborhood.” The organization takes students on “explorations focused on STEM, Arts & Culture, Citizenry, Volunteerism, Health, Community Development, Culinary Arts, and Entrepreneurism.” Specifically, the donation will go towards the Small Business Relief Fund that the group has started to support neighborhood, particularly Black-owned, businesses damaged following the murder of George Floyd.
Aminy Osterfeld advocated for the Roots Community Health Center
Aminy advocated for Roots Community Health Center, which runs health clinics and programs in multiple locations in the Bay Area to bring healthcare and other necessary services to low-income and marginalized communities, particularly Black communities, following their mission “to uplift those impacted by systemic inequities and poverty.” The clinics offer everything from free COVID-19 testing to self-care and meditation workshops. The organization also runs programs to bring medical care to homeless encampments and deliver healthy food to those in need, plus workforce training, legal services, re-entry services for formerly incarcerated people, and violence prevention coaching for at-risk youth. Anti-racism is a central aspect of their work.
Mia Michaelides and Nick Ascienzo advocated for the People's Place of Kingston
In 2016, Mia volunteered for People’s Place for her Girl Scout Gold Award project, renovating their “Birthday Closet” that assists families who otherwise cannot afford supplies for their children’s birthdays. In 2020, the People's Place is a food pantry that has provided over 100,000 meals since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their operations are typically funded with their profits from their thrift store, which is run by volunteers and donations. Moved by their involvement in his hometown, founder Nick also decided to advocate for the People's Place of Kingston.
Sophie Laing advocated for JUNTA for Progressive Action
Sophie first became aware of JUNTA for Progressive Action through the Medical-Legal Partnership she co-directs at a student-run free clinic in New Haven. The organization seeks to collaborate collaborate with Latinx communities in the Greater New Haven area to advance the social, economic and civi environment for all, while embracing Latinx cultural traditions. In response to COVID-19, Junta has started a campaign for immediate rent assistance for Latinx and undocumented families in the Greater New Haven area.
Jen Melitski advocated for the Poughkeepsie Farm Project
A few years ago, Jen first became involved with the Poughkeepsie Farm Project while completing her master’s thesis and later wrote their newsletter for two years. Today, she’s back at the community supported agricultural farm advocating for food justice. Along with work that directly feeds the community, the Poughkeepsie Farm Project also does educational classes about local foods with children in the Poughkeepsie City School District.
Fran Thompson advocated for the Rhinebeck Reformed Church Food Pantry
Fran is no stranger to the Rhinebeck Reformed Church Food Pantry. The pantry is run by the church she regularly attends and is active in Parish life. Like other food pantries across the country, the Rhinebeck Reformed Church Food Pantry is overwhelmed with the amount of people in need of food, with more than double the number of people than before the pandemic. Thompson’s advocacy will not only help the food pantry keep up with this need but also help feed school children during the summer.
Brittany Mosher advocated for the United Way of Northwest Vermont
Brittany wanted to advocate for an organization that was both close to home and helped a wide variety of causes. United Way of Northwest Vermont does this, supporting several critical groups that include the Vermont Food Bank, AgeWell, Steps to End Domestic Violence, and Chittenden Co. Homeless Alliance. “They bring together a variety of service organizations and non-profits in Vermont to build synergies and address needs of Vermonters,” says Brittany. “Right now they have a response fund campaign and are matching donations.”
Ali Fraenkel advocated for the Ernest and Rose Samuels Foundation
For #GivingTuesdayNOW, Ali helped launch a $60,000 double-match campaign for COVID-19 relief in DC neighborhoods. The Ernest and Rose Samuels Foundation matched a minimum of $60,000 in contributions and has already dedicated $120,000 to the six grantees. Ali’s grant went to this campaign.
To read about the first round of emergency mini-grants delivered via our ambassadors, read our write up here.