Ward 5 CM McDuffie "May 5 Coronavirus Response - Council meets and passes additional COVID-related measures and new grants for community non-profits"

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie <kmcduffie@dccouncil.us>

Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 6:57 PM
Subject: May 5 Coronavirus Response - Council meets and passes additional COVID-related measures and new grants for community non-profits

View this email in your browser Below are today's updates on the District's response to the coronavirus pandemic. For the latest and most comprehensive information always visit http://coronavirus.dc.gov. Council Meets to Pass Additional COVID-19 Measures Grant Funding for Local Non-Profits to Support Volunteerism in Response to COVID-19 DC Virtual Teacher Recruitment Fair - May 6 & 7 Small Business Spotlight: Union Market Council Meets to Pass Additional COVID-19 Measures The Council met for its regular Legislative Meeting this morning via video stream. You can view the meeting on the Council's facebook page. There were dozens of provisions emergency legislation in response to the coronavirus, including Requiring landlords with five or more units to provide payment plans to tenants affected by the public health emergency. Extending prohibition on for an additional 60 days after the emergency declaration ends. Placing a limit of 15% on commissions third-party food delivery companies can charge the restaurants for commission. Requiring additional reporting on the DC jail. Grant Funding for Local Non-Profits to Support Volunteerism in Response to COVID-19 Today, a Request for Proposals was announced for grant funding to help nonprofits effectively recruit, retain, and engage volunteers amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Serve DC, the Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships, will distribute a total of $75,000 in sub-grant awards of up to $7,500 per grantee. The deadline for organizations to apply is May 29, 2020. To view the Request for Proposals and learn more, visit Serve DC. The 2020 Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) will be awarded to District-based non-profits to directly support organizations with resetting, re-imagining and re-engaging their volunteers, in light of this recent public health emergency and its effects on their service delivery, outreach efforts. This funding will support with the development and sustainability of key strategies, resources and tools, designed to best position community-based organizations to resume volunteer activities and effectively prepare for COVID-19 recovery. The VGF is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and administered by Serve DC. Serve DC seeks to fund effective approaches that expand volunteering, strengthen the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit and retain volunteers, and develop strategies to use volunteers to effectively address District-wide priorities and challenges. Special funding consideration will be given to eligible organizations and initiatives that specifically recruit, train, and engage volunteers as a strategy to position and prepare vulnerable communities to better recover from emergencies and disasters. The focus areas include mass food distribution, mass shelter, outreach and social services, housing stability and economic security, youth engagement/development, and mental health services, and through the development of various tools and platforms. This year's VGF grant scope was informed by direct feedback from the nonprofit community, captured by a volunteer assessment survey conducted by Serve DC, to understand the current volunteer engagement needs and operations of nonprofits in light of the District’s current declaration of a public health emergency. The findings revealed: More than 50% percent of non-profits surveyed suspended volunteer operations in light of COVID-19, and subsequent health and safety guidance 52% expressed a need for communication strategies and tools to effectively recruit and retain volunteers during these uncertain times 100% affirmed that volunteers are vital to their service delivery, outreach, and operations DC Virtual Teacher Recruitment Fair - May 6 & 7 Small Business Spotlight: Union Market Union Market is open for pick-up and some grocery needs: GROCERY: Customers are welcome at Union Market to pick up grocery items from a select number of businesses. Maximum occupancy restrictions apply. Grocery Delivery via Mercato: http://mercato.com/shop/union-market. PICK-UP + DELIVERY: Pick-up and delivery are available with participating vendors. Please visit the two designated pick-up areas at the front of Union Market to collect your items. Please check with individual businesses for specific take-out menus, delivery and online shopping options. All take-out orders must be placed online, via delivery app or phone.