How to Support Workers Most Impacted by COVID- 19
Low income workers, day laborers, domestic workers, and those who work in the gig economy are examples of those who were already economically vulnerable before the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic - and the economic upheaval of the last two months have been particularly devastating to them and their families.
Tzedek Chicago is currently compiling an ongoing list of funds supporting workers in Chicagoland and throughout the country. We encourage our members to support the funds below - and to send information about any other worthwhile initiatives to info@tzedekchicago.org:
Funds earmarked specifically for workers
Chicago Labor Relief Fund (for union members who have lost their jobs)
Latino Union Support Fund (for domestic workers and day laborers)
Chicago Workers Collaborative COVID-19 Worker Activist Relief Fund (for worker activists who have lost their jobs)
UNITE HERE Education and Support Fund (for hospitality workers who are members of Unite Here Local 1 in the Chicago area)
Organizations giving cash gift cards and cash to laid off workers in specific Chicago neighborhoods:
Working Family Solidarity (Pilsen)
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos (Southeast Side and South Suburbs)
Little Village Emergency Assistance Fund
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
Logan Square Neighborhood Association Solidarity Fund
Relief not specifically earmarked to workers, but should reach them:
Chicago COVID-19 Hardship and Help Page
COVID-19 African American Relief Fund
Chicago Community Covid Response Fund
IL Cash Coalition and Give Together Now Chicago
Resources to Aid Families During the COVID-19 Shutdown (compiled by Chicago Teachers Union)
Mano a Mano (for immigrants living in Lake and McHenry Counties)
City Colleges of Chicago COVID Relief Fund (100% of funds raised will support CCC students)
Brave Space Alliance (Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago)
Funds providing support to workers nationally:
The Workers Fund (for gig and low income contract workers)
United for Respect (for whistleblowers who reporting COVID exposure at work)
One Fair Wage Emergency Fund (for tipped workers)
National Domestic Workers Alliance Corona Virus Care Fund (for domestic workers)
Project 100 (for families living in poverty)
Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation (for undocumented immigrants)
Organizations that are a resource for COVID fundraising efforts
Economic Security for Illinois (for a variety of COVID 19 fundraising efforts)