United Way of Clinton County, Iowa (UWCCI) is closely monitoring the local situation from day-to-day in these rapidly changing times. Currently the UWCCI office remains open and is consulting regularly with Clinton County non-profit assistance agencies in our network, in case that additional emergency funding may be required to meet community needs during this crisis.
UWCCI works with county non-profit assistance agencies like YWCA, Associate Benevolent Society, Family Resources, and many others, with a number of them reporting changes to the way they are working, in addition to some staff layoffs likely, due to mandatory closure of some public services. Community members employed by local organizations and businesses may need emergency assistance to meet the gap between now and the arrival of unemployment benefits, which could be thirty days.
Acknowledging that everyone is fighting a battle, UWCCI says that there are many things you can do to help our community get through this crisis.
- Keep calm. Dial 2-1-1 for the latest Iowa Department of Public Health information about COVID-19 if you have questions or concerns.
- Check on elderly relatives and neighbors, assist with supplies if you can.
- Use local businesses when you can, our community depends on them for jobs and services.
- Be kind. Our community can cope with this crisis if we’re kind.
- Contribute to local food pantries if you can, every little bit helps. (Call first, things are changing quickly.)
- Donate to local non-profit assistance agencies through United Way of Clinton County, Iowa. Visit www.clintonunitedway.org/give.
UWCCI also urges people to be wary of scams and misinformation at this time that take advantage of people in a crisis, always fact check information with the agencies in question before you give out any personal details, provide payment information, or share it with others.