Pregnant women and single mothers resources during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pregnant women and single mothers may be experiencing particular food insecurity and hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. In LA County, there are several programs and services that help families who have been affected by recent events:

  • Home Visiting Programs are still enrolling new clients and serving families in LA County. Home Visitors provide support and services during pregnancy; coaches parents on how to support children during difficult times; offers techniques for lowering stress; and connects parents to educational training, job opportunities, and other resources. For more information, call (213) 639-6434.
  • MAMA’s Program is providing services to pregnant women and those who have recently delivered during the COVID-19 crisis. Pregnant women in the safety net who need prenatal and immediate postpartum services can call 844-37-MAMAS for appointments and enhanced perinatal services.
  • Doula services provide emotional support, physical comfort, education, and advocacy to African American pregnant women and persons during pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn period. Call (213) 639-6448 for more information and eligibility requirements.
  • Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides healthy foods and other resources to pregnant women and families whose income has been affected by recent events with a child under 5 years of age. To find out if you’re eligible, text APPLY to 91997, visit phfewic.org or call (888) 942-2229.
  • Cash aid and food purchasing services are available through CalWORKS. This program provides monthly financial assistance to help pay for housing, food, utilities, clothing, medical care and other necessary expenses. For more information and eligibility requirements, call (866) 613-3777.
  • Early childhood education and childcare services are available for essential workers. Call (888) 92CHILD (922-4453) or visit lacoe.edu/childcare for more information and resources.
  • Emotional support services are available for pregnant and parenting families feeling anxious, panicked, or stressed. Mental health professionals are available at (800) 854-7771.

Reminder Of Your Rights As A Renter

A Message From Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson:

It was brought to my attention that some property managers and landlords may not be following the city’s guidance in regards to paying rent, paying back rent, and threats of eviction for breaking other aspects of your lease. If anyone is dealing with issues such as these, please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance, or with any questions you may have.

Some things to keep in mind during this time:

  • Landlords must not evict residential tenants who are unable to pay rent because of loss of income from work, childcare costs related to school closures, healthcare costs, or “reasonable expenditures” related to COVID-19.
  • If you are unable to make the rent due to COVID-19, let your landlord know as soon as possible.
  • If you receive an eviction notice that you suspect violates the city law file a complaint with the city of Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCID), which is handling eviction investigations.
  • Tenants should also let their landlords know the reason why they haven’t paid, ideally in writing. However, do not sign any agreement with your landlord that could hurt your case if your landlord brings you to court.
  • If your landlord still tries to evict you HCID says the first thing you should do is stay in your home. 

For more information on renter protections go to https://hcidla.lacity.org/covid-19-renter-protections

No one should be kicked out of their homes during this crisis. I am also pushing for a full eviction moratorium and I stand with Councilmembers Bonin and Ryu on their renewed attempts to pass the moratorium again.

Food Giveaway

NAN|LA has partnered with World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization committed to providing meals in the wake of natural disaster, to serve meals in our community. Find out more about World Central Kitchen here: https://wck.org/

Do you know someone in need of a meal? Tell them to meet us at Ceder Grove Baptist church. We will be handing out meals Monday-Friday 1pm-3pm or until all the meals have been distributed.

We are also in need of volunteers! We adhere to all CDC safety measures. We also provide the masks, the gloves, the disinfectant and the Lysol to keep you safe. All we need is you! If interested please contact us at nan.westernregionaloffice@gmail.com

South LA Covid-19 Updates from Mayor Garcetti’s Office

Advisory: Free COVID-19 testing now available to all L.A. County residents with symptoms
Visit Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing for information on free COVID-19 testing now available to all L.A. County residents with symptoms. Learn more and book an appointment.
Visita Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing para más información sobre las pruebas de detección de COVID-19 gratis disponibles ahora para todos residentes con síntomas en el condado de Los Ángeles. Aprenda más y haga una cite.

DATA (numbers as of 4/13)

  • LA County  — 239 new confirmed cases, 9,420 total; 2.5% increase from 4/12

  • 25 new deaths — Total deaths: 320

  • LA City — 113 new cases, 4,205 total; 2.8% increase 4/12

  • COVID-19 DATA: The data packet the Mayor regularly receives will be posted: Coronavirus.LACity.org/Data 

  • COVID-19 MYTHS: To dispel misinformation, we have launched a site that sets straight common myths about the coronavirus and the City’s response: Coronavirus.LACity.org/Myths

TESTING:

SOUTH LA WALK-UP TESTING FACILITY: The City is launching a new walk-up testing site in South Los Angeles at the Kedren Community Health Center.  Most of the City’s testing sites are drive-through sites, where people are tested from their cars. Recognizing that many people don’t have cars, we are opening a second walk-up site in an area that serves the African American Community. You must still make an appointment at coronavirus.lacity.org

  • REMEMBER: Testing is only granted by appointment only. Testing is available for anyone EXHIBITING symptoms. We are still prioritizing people over the age of 65, however, anyone showing symptoms can now request a test at coronavirus.lacity.org

  • GOAL: 60,000 LA County residents will have been tested by the end of this week

LA EMERGENCY CHILDCARE CONNECTION: In order to make sure medical care workers never have to miss a shift because of lack of childcare–especially the folks that ensure hospitals continue to run such as admin staff, janitorial staff, and others—the Mayor’s Fund is working with unions and hospitals to provide stipends, referrals and care for their children

Rev. Al Sharpton Calls Upon Faith Leaders To Discontinue Services

AMID THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, REV. AL SHARPTON CALLS UPON FAITH LEADERS TO DISCONTINUE GATHERINGS & SERVICES FOR PALM SUNDAY & HOLY WEEK LEADING INTO EASTER.

Rev. Al Sharpton (NAN), Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, and the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC) Convene National Conference Call to Discuss the Need for Pastors to Discontinue Services That Aren’t Online
(April 1, 2020) – Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton convened a call with the heads of the nation’s largest historically Black religious denominations and other faith leaders to call on clergy to refrain from having church services as we head into Palm Sunday and Easter Holy Week. The public appeal is being made following the arrest of a Louisiana megachurch pastor for holding Sunday services and a separate criminal action against a Florida pastor, who held services over the weekend that drew large crowds, willfully violating a local coronavirus stay-at-home order.
According to Rev. Al Sharpton “I have been arrested over thirty times for civil rights and civil disobedience—twice for ninety days and another forty-five days for standing up for people’s civil and human rights. These separate incidents involving leaders of faith putting people’s lives in danger is not a matter of civil or human rights, nor is it a statement of faith. It is self-aggrandizing, reckless behavior of those Shepherds who would risk their sheep rather than lead their sheep.”
Under the leadership of Reverend Al Sharpton and NAN Board Chair Reverend W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman of the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC), a series of calls will continue to be conducted to discourage the growing number of churches that say Palm Sunday and Holy Week should be observed in person.

Bernie Sanders Suspends His Presidential Campaign

Read more

The Perfect Storm

After careful consideration as we are facing this CV19 pandemic, I find it extremely difficult to believe that this country, the United States of America was totally caught off guard. No advance warning? No knowledge of a possible or potential viral outbreak that would have dramatic health and economic consequences? If this is in fact the case then perhaps we need to rethink and reevaluate our position as the greatest power on earth.
In California Los Angeles to be exact, there’s tanks positioned downtown and on railways surrounding the city. Is this the beginning of ‘Marshall Law’ or a siege of the entire City? Where are they going? No doubt the target will be in the inner city primarily in the Black and Brown communities. In area’s least served and with very little resources. It only gets more complicated.
The closures of businesses and what they call “non-essential” including the church has to irritate or reasons of great concern. The Church is being viewed as “non-essential” based on what? Oh but liquor stores are still doing business. The criteria is because on a single shelf the hold a roll of tissue, bottle of bleach, can of Lysol and potted meat os sardines in a can they are essential. So the community that already has alcohol issues, abuse and crime remains open but the church is considered “non-essential.”
Children and adults are confined, getting on each other’s nerves, with little to no resources and in many areas and homes no wi-fi. In the Black community, the now cancellations of school the remainder of this school year will further cripple and stifle the educational process which they already are below academic levels. Those who are graduating this semester year will be further behind in applying for or even being accepted in schools of higher learning.
To be continued…

Rev. Sharpton & NAN Staff Providing Meals at House of Justice

“NAN—one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations—has joined forces with World Central Kitchen to transform its sites into community kitchens to prepare meals for those in need,” reported NewsOne. “The NAN’s Harlem-based headquarters as well as a site in Newark, New Jersey are being utilized to make thousands of meals to deliver to senior citizens, low-income families and reentry program participants. Cognizant of the current state of food insecurity—specifically within impoverished and underserved communities—Rev. Sharpton was determined to alleviate obstacles for those facing hunger.”

The World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, has provided disaster relief in the midst of global emergencies. The nonprofit donated 3.7 million meals after Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico and provided food following natural disasters in Haiti and Mozambique. “With the traditional safety nets like school feeding programs, childcare services, and senior centers closing, many in our communities will not be able to provide for their families,” said Reverend Sharpton. “Our partnership with World Central Kitchen is to ensure our community that we are here for them. In times of stress and struggle, we all need to support one another.”