As an unprecedented spring gives way to a subdued summer, civic and community leaders are in a reflective place. Looking back, they see huge accomplishments in terms of services delivered and families supported in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, they see uncertainty.
A recent survey by the nonprofit Beyond Housing, headquartered in North St. Louis County, found that 64% of households it serves were behind in rent, 65% are behind in utilities, and more than half won’t make their full rent payment next month. A quarter had been laid off, 34% had their hours cut, and 46% were feeling high stress.
“Folks are worried about paying for housing, utilities, and household items to keep their homes safe. They’re worried about food,” said Chris Krehmeyer, Beyond Housing’s President and CEO. “They’re worried about moving forward.”
Ramping up for food distribution events
Starting in March, Beyond Housing was part of an emergency response task force spearheaded by the Community Impact Network to address the need within the Normandy Schools Collaborative footprint for food, housing, utilities, COVID-19 testing, and everyday items like diapers and feminine hygiene products. During April and May, Beyond Housing’s staff and facilities were integral to the distribution of 160,000 shelf-stable meals plus snacks, fresh produce, and other items.
“Beyond Housing is crucial to this effort,” said Dr. Jaison K.D. McCall, Managing Director for the Community Impact Network. “They have history in the community, they have relationships, and they have staff. They are manning a lot of the volunteer needs, and we are using their locations for distribution events.”
Food distribution work was new for the Beyond Housing staff, who normally are focused on strengthening families and transforming communities through comprehensive efforts in housing, education, health, employment, and economic development. “We had a quick pivot to get ready and bring our staff to the forefront because we saw the great need,” Krehmeyer said. “We were willing to do whatever needed to be done. As an organization, we’re about execution and tasks.”
Likewise, the Community Impact Network had to lead and maneuver during these unprecedented times. During normal times, the Network convenes numerous partners in order to help organize and facilitate the delivery of resources and services for the Normandy Schools Collaborative community. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Network formed and funded an emergency relief task force which included Beyond Housing, Operation Food Search, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, Affinia Healthcare, United 4 Children, the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, the Normandy Schools Collaborative, and more. These partners received grant funding from the Network for immediate needs within the community—collectively addressing issues including food insecurity, rent and utility assistance, COVID-19 testing, and more. In the case of Beyond Housing, an emergency grant allowed it to provide utility assistance to families in its rental housing units.
Collaborating for the community
McCall had high praise for all of Beyond Housing’s staff—especially Cory Dickens, the Senior Director of Housing, who transitioned to become the lead coordinator of volunteers and logistics for twice-a-week food distribution events. Dickens worked closely with Operation Food Search to arrange incoming deliveries, and she called on other groups like the Missouri National Guard to make sure there were plenty of socially distanced volunteers to ensure that packing and distribution were smooth and efficient.
“Cory Dickens has been great leading this effort,” McCall said. “It’s been so important that the right staff members are having dialogues with one another and supporting one another. It also helped that we were already working with Cory specifically, as she has been with us.”
Another aspect of the distribution is home deliveries for residents who can’t (or shouldn’t) go out for food and supplies. City officials across the Normandy Schools Collaborative footprint gathered the names of those in need, and Dickens coordinates with Equity Homes—an organization that supports homeownership to get hundreds of meals dropped off on residents’ doorsteps each week. McCall shared that “Equity Homes has been crucial to the success of the home deliveries. They always arrive ready to serve and ensure the community receives their best.”
Looking at the current situation in the communities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Krehmeyer believes that the stimulus checks and unemployment relief have helped. “But they’re both limited,” he points out.
“The fear and stress and strain of living through this is a terrible thing and will stay with people,” Krehmeyer said. “I hope the humanity behind these 160,000 meals doesn’t get lost. Seeing the look on some people’s faces—they are scared.”
This is where the long-term work toward systemic change of partners like Beyond Housing and the Community Impact Network will be even more valuable. For example, Krehmeyer said, improving education remains a priority. So, does making sure neighborhoods have access to healthcare providers, grocery stores, and employment opportunities. “That’s the work of transforming somebody’s life so they can weather a storm a little easier than they were able to this time,” Krehmeyer said.
To organize and facilitate delivery of resources and services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Impact Network formed and funded an emergency relief task force comprised of a variety of its partners including Operation Food Search, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, Affinia Healthcare, Beyond Housing, United 4 Children, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the Normandy Schools Collaborative. The partner organizations received grant funding for immediate needs within the Normandy Schools Collaborative footprint in North St. Louis County—grants which allowed the partners to collectively address issues including food insecurity, rent and utility assistance, COVID-19 testing, and more.
In addition, the Network continues to convene its four Coalitions—5byAge5, Back2Basics, Youth1st, and WOW—and to offer behind-the-scenes support to the many ongoing initiatives offered by the 85 organizations with which it has membership agreements. Through fostering authentic, trusting relationships, the Community Impact Network aims to create an environment where nonprofit social service sector providers can experience and demonstrate improved success.