The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce a contribution of $1 million from the University of Virginia to the Community Emergency Response Fund. The Fund was established to provide flexible resources to households and organizations in Central Virginia helping to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The university announced earlier today the establishment of a $2 million fund to provide financial support to Aramark employees and other contract workers affected by the suspension of normal activities on Grounds.
The Foundation recognizes the needs of these community members and all low-wage workers experiencing hardship. Anyone in need of assistance is strongly encouraged to call the Community Resource Hotline, (434) 234-4490, between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. Multiple languages are available. It may take several days for UVA’s fund to become fully operational.
“I am pleased to partner with the university during this crisis,” Brennan Gould, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said. “While this health pandemic does not discriminate based on socioeconomic position, we do know that existing economic inequities position low-wage workers to be the most vulnerable to its financial consequences. Because of this, we encourage contract workers at UVA and low-wage workers across the region to call the helpline to receive quick assistance.”
The Community Foundation, United Way of Greater Charlottesville, Cville Community Cares, and the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle are leading a regional effort to stabilize households in the wake of this pandemic.