Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As many of you have no doubt heard, Governor Jay Inslee announced earlier this afternoon all schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties will close their doors beginning March 17 until April 24 in response to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.
We at the Foundation understand that the transmission of COVID-19 and the necessary public health measures being implemented bring incredible stress on families, parents, educators, local businesses, and community partners. We are here to support you and be the best partner that we can be during this uncertain time. Like we have said in the past: When School is Out, Community is In.
We also want to notify our network that the Foundation is taking the following steps to be responsive and ensure the safety and health of our partners when community needs them the most.
- All meetings and convenings for the week of March 16 will be held via the video conferencing platform, Zoom, unless otherwise directed. If you are scheduled for a Collaborative Action Network meeting or a general meeting, you will hear from organizers soon with updated meeting details. We will monitor the news as it develops to decide if we will move to hybrid in-person/web meetings beyond that week.
- Foundation offices have and always will be a space for community to gather. On that note, we will be introducing increased cleaning in our offices and providing additional cleaning products for easy use.
- Our annual Community Impact Report Forum is canceled. The Foundation will instead be directing funds, that would otherwise be used for that event, to community members in this important time of need. More information on that very soon.
- We will continue to lend financial support that we have committed in the form of sponsorships for events that have been canceled due to the recent prohibition on gatherings larger than 250.
We realize that news is moving fast and decisions that impact all of us, especially our most marginalized and vulnerable neighbors, are happening in real-time. The Foundation for Tacoma Students is closely following the conversation in our region, as many of you are also in planning mode for how to best mitigate pressure on residents. We remain available to support each of you in advertising community services through this difficult time.
If your organization or company has resources they would like to share with the Tacoma community, please fill out this online form. You can also feel free to contact us directly by emailing Cecilia Garza, Director of Communications at the Foundation for Tacoma Students. All resources are welcome!
Below are some early resources and community updates that you can access now.
- Governor Inslee’s Office
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
- Tacoma Public Schools
- Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
- Emergency Food Network
- Employment Security Department
- Washington Health Plan Finder
- Washington Office of Superintendent
- Tacoma Public Library (for students)
- We understand the great impact on local business and industry. Please follow the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce for more information on measures being taken to support business owners.
Thank you for all you do to provide the best support possible to Tacoma youth.
Best,
Tafona Ervin, M. Ed.
Executive Director
Foundation for Tacoma Students