May 2020 

We continue to accept donations and pledges and distribute grants through our three regional response funds. Donations and pledges total $6,317,311 to date, and distributions to 84 nonprofit partners total $3,683,902. We are disbursing additional grants as we receive pledged funds. See our COVID-19 May update with a message from Chet P. Hewitt.

Long-term support for relief, recovery and resilience will be needed for our vulnerable neighbors, community businesses and low-wage workers. We encourage additional funders and donors to join us in this important work. Learn more and make donations on the three response fund web pages:

Donate4Sacramento COVID-19 Regional Response Fund
Northern California COVID-19 Response Fund
San Joaquin Valley Health Fund COVID-19 Response Cluster

“Before COVID-19 I was employed and able to take care of the needs of myself and my children. Since COVID-19 and all of the mandates that have been handed down, I found myself being laid off from my job because they were not considered essential. Words can't express how much receiving this $500 has helped in this time of need.”

— Domica Luckey, recipient
United Way California Capital Region

Funders and advocates from across California and beyond are engaging in online conversations focused on the impact of the pandemic on communities of color and, in particular, boys and men of color. Hosted by California Funders for Boys and Men of Color in partnership with Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, the webinar series has included a conversation for funders and organizers, a spotlight on youth justice and a spotlight on health disparities.

The series provides an opportunity for funders, organizers and other stakeholders to deepen their understanding of current conditions facing boys and men of color and their families, and how leaders across the state are responding. To find out more about these conversations and to join the next webinar, follow California Funders for Boys and Men of Color on Twitter and Instagram.

The Medication Assisted Treatment Access Points Project continues its partnership with community media experts California Black Media, Crossings TV and Radio Bilingüe and partners from the California Department of Health Care Services and Media Solutions for a statewide media campaign this spring. The campaign is focused on stigma reduction and education related to opioid use disorder and treatment. Messaging for the campaign was developed with community media partner feedback to include a broader definition of opioids and the inclusion of fentanyl, as well as tele-health options for treatment and services. TV, radio and digital ads are running in select markets across California until mid-June. Download the flyer pictured above.

More than 80 San Joaquin Valley Health Fund community partners and regional stakeholders joined The Center for a virtual listening session with Governor Gavin Newsom’s office on May 20. Participants discussed urgent social and economic needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the need for investments and policy to support equitable recovery coming out of the crisis.

Similar listening sessions are being held in Inland California. Findings from these sessions will be used to inform key public and private endeavors to support COVID-19 response, consider long-term strategies that emphasize growth and inclusivity, and encourage philanthropic investments in underserved areas of the state.

The Center joined community partners and elected officials for the San Joaquin Valley Census Week of Action, May 10-16. The week included a virtual press conference, with Secretary of State Alex Padilla, State Senator Anna Caballero, Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, Stockton Mayor Michael D. Tubbs, Dolores Huerta of Dolores Huerta Foundation, Pao Yang of Fresno Center and Chet P. Hewitt of Sierra Health Foundation and The Center. The week’s activities included radio interviews, virtual happy hours, virtual census parties, mural viewings, action-themed instructional and informational videos, raffles and contests, essential worker testimonials, stand-up comedy, a Twitter storm, census chats, a text-a-thon, skits and census caravans. View Census Week of Action photos.

The California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office is providing COVID-19 updates. Topics include Overall Guidance, U.S. Census Bureau Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19, Resources and What can you do now?

Governor Gavin Newsom submitted his 2020-21 May revision budget proposal to the California State Legislature on May 14. According to the governor’s web site, the revision proposes to cancel new initiatives proposed in the original budget, cancel and reduce spending included in the 2019 Budget Act, draw down reserves, borrow from special funds, temporarily increase revenues and make government more efficient. The proposal looks to close a budget gap of more than $54 billion brought on by the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more.

California Budget & Policy Center
The Budget Center works to make budget issues — and the state budget process itself — more accessible and easier to understand to broaden participation in the debate and foster policies that work for all Californians, especially people with low and middle incomes, people of color, immigrants, women and children. Learn more.

Prevention Institute
Prevention Institute prepared a summary of the Budget Proposal – May Revise to better understand the state’s financial picture and policy directions. The document provides an overview of key elements of the budget that were highlighted by the governor, as well as greater detail on policy areas related to: 1. preventing violence and trauma; 2. land use, parks, and housing equity; and 3. financing for a prevention-oriented health system. This document was developed as an educational resource for organizations that work on upstream health and equity issues and share some of Prevention Institute’s policy priority areas, and is not a comprehensive summary of the budget.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asthma is one of the most common lifelong chronic diseases. One in 13 Americans (more than 25 million) lives with asthma, a disease affecting the lungs and causing repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. During Asthma Awareness Month, people with asthma and organizations dedicated to asthma control and education join together to increase awareness about asthma and improve the lives of all people with asthma. Learn more and find resources on the CDC web site.