Phillip LeBlanc - 4 Clarke Place www.Hollerstownhill.Com
I reviewed proposal and yesterdays workshop related to The Relief Program an have the following thoughts.
The proposed program vison seems to be to provide available pre-allocated City $$ to support issues directly related Kids during the very current Corvid 19 crisis. The timing is such that there is no time for the City to collect more detailed needs data so the City can determine who is in need. It appears to be overly focus on Kids (?) but I believe without it being all inclusive it is dysfunction in a pandemic. Community Matters and will be of the most value to everyone, especially the Kids. Note; mostly Seniors and minorities that are in need and dying. I have the following thoughts;
• Since the City does not have true needs data but relies on Non-profits to support same I believe it is the most reasonable place to manage and spend said moneys.
• The target for the $$$ should be for Individuals and families in the most need, and related to the Corvid 19 problem as determined by the non-profits and not specifically dictated by others without hard real data.
• I suggest that $$$ NOT be provided for use by for profit-Business or Landlords (PPP, EIDL-Loan/Grants) or Individuals collecting Unemployment ($600 + State allocation) or businesses with for profit SBA loan as they already have $$$ for support of the basics revenue needs. There is Several Trillions $$$$ for these needed economic stability and recovery.
• Focus should be on all individual on the City and not be restricted to any one group. It needs to be Needs based and not age based and done to the best of our ability and/or the best we can do with very limited data understood by the City.
• I believe some $$ should be understood to support getting the medical care for anyone that does not have access to same that help protect them from the impact of the virus.
• This should include volunteer cost for advisory services to advice the needy.
• I believe the other $$$ distribution; like Water Bill reduction, Tax and Fee reductions, etc helps Business and Landlords that are mostly covered by other support $$$. Business and Landlords do not generally pasted down $$$ to individual that actual need it.
• Record Keeping is a must but oversite needs to be with a lighter touch so us to be the most effective.
• Timing is of the essence and to many restriction will make the value of the program dysfunctional.
.
My name is Pat Rosensteel and I reside in the City of Frederick at 102 Crossing Pointe Ct. I have been closely following the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our citizens. In particular, I have seen major detrimental effects on the children, including the lack of adequate child care, diminished household income, lack of food and sufficient housing, and increases in mental health needs. In fact, anything that affects the family affects the child as well. The grief and stress caused by these situations also contribute to their Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) that can impact a child's health and well-being far into their adulthood. Programs and services that address these negative impacts are sorely needed at this critical time in our community.
As a result, I encourage the Board to approve funding to help Frederick City's children through your COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
Thank you for your consideration,
Pat Rosensteel
301.606-8161
pbrosensteel@aol.com
My name is Shari Ostrow Scher and I reside at 275 West Patrick Street, Frederick, 21701. I write today both as a resident of Frederick City for more than 30 years and as the Founder and Executive Director of Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership (COIPP). The need is clear; last year we served over 700 children and their families in the Frederick region. My children are grown and fortunately have jobs and resources that allow them to support my grandchildren. If my children run into a financial problem, or need extra support during these tough times, my husband and I can offer it. I meet many people in my work and life in Frederick who are not this fortunate. They have either been furloughed from work, had work hours cut back, or lost their jobs. In addition, they often have no one to support them through difficult times. I am thinking of a woman who was working in the kitchen in a downtown Frederick restaurant. I met her on her last day at work. She has three children, young in age, and no one to watch them during the days they were home, as schools had closed. The summer may not offer more childcare assistance given distance learning. She could only make one decision, to leave her work, but she had no idea how she would feed and clothe the children and pay the rent. I also think about a woman I met at a COIPP resource giveaway who had been working 40 hours a week and had her hours cut to 20. She is a grandmother raising two children in the city and she had no idea what she was going to do. Then there is the grandmother living downtown, raising her grandchild, and now that she has been laid off she has no money for basics, including diapers. The stories go on and on. I know that I am one of the lucky ones, but this is not so for many of my neighbors. The non-profit community in Frederick City is ready to help. The problem is that many of the non-profits are not receiving the donations they once had, cannot do their traditional fundraising events, and generally are struggling to fund all that is necessary. I am asking that you offer funds to non-profits to help us meet the needs of our neighbors. Your kindness can only help families during these times of great stress. We can do this together.
My name is Hermine Bernstein, 4957 Flossie Av.,Frederick. As Program Coordinator for Blessings in a Backpack, I am writing on behalf of the low income chidren living in Frederick City to request that the Board of Alderman please approve the COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. As you well know, school closings have caused great stress on the children. Not only is their education impacted, but they are unable to gather with their friends. Furthermoore, without the benefit of school meals, thousands of these children are at risk of going hungry, especially on weekends when the FCPS "grab & go" meal program is unavailable. During the regular school year, Blessings in a Backpack works closely with City schools to provide weekend nutrition to about 2,000 local kids. With schools closed, we revamped our program, going into neighborhoods and settting up outside schools to provide non-perishable, kid friendly food to ensure hunger-free weekends. The COVID emergency has played havoc with the food supply chain, making access to menu items challenging. Our food costs have dramatically increased by approximately $1.50 per child per, per week, from about $3,00 each to $4.50. That has put great strain on our financial resources, which may very well impact our ability to serve local children well into the 2020-2021 school year. We are counting on the Board of Alderman to continue its support and generosity, so that Blessings in a Backpack can keep its promise of hunger-free weekends to Frederick's most vulnerable children. On behalf of the children, please vote in favor of this grant opportunity. We woild be very grateful.
My name is Jennifer Coppit. I reside at 2727 Egret Way in Frederick. I am writing to ask the Board of Aldermen to get behind the Covid-19 Relief Grant Program and pass it for the sake of our children, families and Seniors in Frederick City of which over 50% of our residents are defined at Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. As an executive with the YMCA of Frederick County, I have seen first hand the struggles and difficulties many of our families have been experiencing during this extraordinary time. Frankly, I am not sure what many families would do without the support of non-profits such as the Y during this time as we have provided child care for essential personnel to fed homeless families from Frederick City at our camp in the Catoctins for 2 months, pulled together the SNAP market for families using such benefits. We have sponsored weekly donation drives to feed hungry families, provided personal protective equipment and important hygiene supplies to Seniors and other at risk populations and so much more. Non-profits have been the backbone of the Frederick City communities in need. Without our efforts, the city would have struggled even more so to care for its neediest residents. Thank you for making this relief program happen so that we can continue to serve our families for a longer period of time.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Coppit
301-307-2900
My name is Josh Henson and I live in the 200 block of Dill Avenue in Frederick. I am writing to express strong support for the COVID-19 Relief Grant program and ask the Board of Alderman to support passage of this important source of funding for the children of our city.
As a long term resident I have seen first-hand the number of amazing organizations in Frederick offering vital services to our children. These organizations operate innovative and impactful programs at a cost that is way below the value they provide. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these organizations are struggling to hit their normal fundraising goals as many of their funding sources have been dramatically affected by the subsequent economic downturn.
This is exactly the time where a grant program such as this is needed to help provide products and services that can be demonstrated to have direct impact on the educational, nutritional, or mental health needs of our children. Please strongly consider supporting this grant program!
My name is Barbara Dillon and I reside in the city at 28 Lord Nickens Street. I volunteer with Blessings in a Backpack of Frederick and am writing to request that the Covid-19 Relief Grant Program be passed by the Board of Aldermen. For several years, BIAB has been providing weekend bags of food to city school children who rely on school meals for the majority of their nutrition. Prior to Covid-19, our volunteers would pack bags of food at the schools we served. The average cost of each bag was about $3.10. Since Covid-19, it has been very difficult for our local vendors to supply us with the quantities of food we need as supply chains have been greatly disrupted. We have supplemented our local purchases with pre-packed bags of food we buy through our non-profit's national headquarters. The cost of the food we purchase has increased to an average of $4.50 per weekend bag due to the effect of Covid-19. Our volunteers have stuck with us, and they distribute food from the front door of the schools, and also go into neighborhoods to distribute to be sure we are reaching as many of our vulnerable children as possible. Previously, we provided weekend food only during the 38-week traditional school year. The families we serve are struggling and their situations are not getting any better. Due to Covid-19, for the first time, we are planning to continue providing weekend food throughout the summer. This will add an additional 10 weeks of food costs to our program. I ask you to vote in support of this Grant Relief program so Blessings in a Backpack and other nonprofits serving our most vulnerable city residents have the opportunity to apply for funds to continue to serve their needs.
My name is Mary-Ellen Mitchell and I live in Frederick. I ask that the Board of Alderman vote to approve the funding for these grants. As school ends, children in the City have few choices to keep them engaged and learning over the summer. Pools are closed until July. Summer camps - if offered at all - will serve fewer children because of the Governor's rules on social distancing. Parents who are unemployed or under-employed have no ability to send their children to camps or activities.
Who will fill this gap in services to city youth? Your nonprofit community!
Funding is scarce - and I apply for grants on behalf of my company's nonprofit clients. In a recent example - we asked for $10,000 and received $2,000. Funders are being conservative given our national economic situation. The $10,000 would have provided for 200 children being served. The $2,000 meant 40 children were served. That left 160 children without essential needs being met - and their parents were counting on assistance.
51% of the city's residents are defined as ALICE : Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed per the United Way's website. 10% of the 51% live below the poverty line. The children in these families weren't having basic needs met in good times.
Please vote to support this funding initiative. Nonprofits have few other places to turn. The community COVID fund helps, but its not enough. Individuals donations are down. Corporate donations are down. The only thing growing around here are the community's needs - and our children are unable to help them selves. Their parents are struggling. Please support this funding and let the nonprofits step up and help. Thank you!
My name is Malcolm Furgol and I reside at 36 W 6th ST with my wife and two children. I was excited to hear about the proposed COVID-19 Relief Grant Program to support nonprofits serving children. As a parent to two young children I am very aware how parents can use all the support they can get with their children, and the importance of programming for all children, whether they have started kindergarten or not. Our own daughter had been attending preschool regularly before the pandemic, and it has been very challenging for her to miss out on her lessons and interactions with children her age.
We are fortunate enough to have my in-laws live next door and have access to other resources that have made the last few months manageable. I can only imagine how challenging it is for others, and through my work in the nonprofit sector I am aware of some of the challenges that too many of our city's families are dealing with. I believe a grant program supporting organizations serving our most vulnerable children is critically needed at this time and hope that the proposed grant program is authorized and implemented soon. Please note I am submitting this comment as a private resident, not as an employee of United Way of Frederick County.
Phillip LeBlanc - 4 Clarke Place www.Hollerstownhill.Com
I reviewed proposal and yesterdays workshop related to The Relief Program an have the following thoughts.
The proposed program vison seems to be to provide available pre-allocated City $$ to support issues directly related Kids during the very current Corvid 19 crisis. The timing is such that there is no time for the City to collect more detailed needs data so the City can determine who is in need. It appears to be overly focus on Kids (?) but I believe without it being all inclusive it is dysfunction in a pandemic. Community Matters and will be of the most value to everyone, especially the Kids. Note; mostly Seniors and minorities that are in need and dying. I have the following thoughts;
• Since the City does not have true needs data but relies on Non-profits to support same I believe it is the most reasonable place to manage and spend said moneys.
• The target for the $$$ should be for Individuals and families in the most need, and related to the Corvid 19 problem as determined by the non-profits and not specifically dictated by others without hard real data.
• I suggest that $$$ NOT be provided for use by for profit-Business or Landlords (PPP, EIDL-Loan/Grants) or Individuals collecting Unemployment ($600 + State allocation) or businesses with for profit SBA loan as they already have $$$ for support of the basics revenue needs. There is Several Trillions $$$$ for these needed economic stability and recovery.
• Focus should be on all individual on the City and not be restricted to any one group. It needs to be Needs based and not age based and done to the best of our ability and/or the best we can do with very limited data understood by the City.
• I believe some $$ should be understood to support getting the medical care for anyone that does not have access to same that help protect them from the impact of the virus.
• This should include volunteer cost for advisory services to advice the needy.
• I believe the other $$$ distribution; like Water Bill reduction, Tax and Fee reductions, etc helps Business and Landlords that are mostly covered by other support $$$. Business and Landlords do not generally pasted down $$$ to individual that actual need it.
• Record Keeping is a must but oversite needs to be with a lighter touch so us to be the most effective.
• Timing is of the essence and to many restriction will make the value of the program dysfunctional.
.
My name is Pat Rosensteel and I reside in the City of Frederick at 102 Crossing Pointe Ct. I have been closely following the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our citizens. In particular, I have seen major detrimental effects on the children, including the lack of adequate child care, diminished household income, lack of food and sufficient housing, and increases in mental health needs. In fact, anything that affects the family affects the child as well. The grief and stress caused by these situations also contribute to their Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) that can impact a child's health and well-being far into their adulthood. Programs and services that address these negative impacts are sorely needed at this critical time in our community.
As a result, I encourage the Board to approve funding to help Frederick City's children through your COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
Thank you for your consideration,
Pat Rosensteel
301.606-8161
pbrosensteel@aol.com
My name is Shari Ostrow Scher and I reside at 275 West Patrick Street, Frederick, 21701. I write today both as a resident of Frederick City for more than 30 years and as the Founder and Executive Director of Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership (COIPP). The need is clear; last year we served over 700 children and their families in the Frederick region. My children are grown and fortunately have jobs and resources that allow them to support my grandchildren. If my children run into a financial problem, or need extra support during these tough times, my husband and I can offer it. I meet many people in my work and life in Frederick who are not this fortunate. They have either been furloughed from work, had work hours cut back, or lost their jobs. In addition, they often have no one to support them through difficult times. I am thinking of a woman who was working in the kitchen in a downtown Frederick restaurant. I met her on her last day at work. She has three children, young in age, and no one to watch them during the days they were home, as schools had closed. The summer may not offer more childcare assistance given distance learning. She could only make one decision, to leave her work, but she had no idea how she would feed and clothe the children and pay the rent. I also think about a woman I met at a COIPP resource giveaway who had been working 40 hours a week and had her hours cut to 20. She is a grandmother raising two children in the city and she had no idea what she was going to do. Then there is the grandmother living downtown, raising her grandchild, and now that she has been laid off she has no money for basics, including diapers. The stories go on and on. I know that I am one of the lucky ones, but this is not so for many of my neighbors. The non-profit community in Frederick City is ready to help. The problem is that many of the non-profits are not receiving the donations they once had, cannot do their traditional fundraising events, and generally are struggling to fund all that is necessary. I am asking that you offer funds to non-profits to help us meet the needs of our neighbors. Your kindness can only help families during these times of great stress. We can do this together.
My name is Hermine Bernstein, 4957 Flossie Av.,Frederick. As Program Coordinator for Blessings in a Backpack, I am writing on behalf of the low income chidren living in Frederick City to request that the Board of Alderman please approve the COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. As you well know, school closings have caused great stress on the children. Not only is their education impacted, but they are unable to gather with their friends. Furthermoore, without the benefit of school meals, thousands of these children are at risk of going hungry, especially on weekends when the FCPS "grab & go" meal program is unavailable. During the regular school year, Blessings in a Backpack works closely with City schools to provide weekend nutrition to about 2,000 local kids. With schools closed, we revamped our program, going into neighborhoods and settting up outside schools to provide non-perishable, kid friendly food to ensure hunger-free weekends. The COVID emergency has played havoc with the food supply chain, making access to menu items challenging. Our food costs have dramatically increased by approximately $1.50 per child per, per week, from about $3,00 each to $4.50. That has put great strain on our financial resources, which may very well impact our ability to serve local children well into the 2020-2021 school year. We are counting on the Board of Alderman to continue its support and generosity, so that Blessings in a Backpack can keep its promise of hunger-free weekends to Frederick's most vulnerable children. On behalf of the children, please vote in favor of this grant opportunity. We woild be very grateful.
My name is Jennifer Coppit. I reside at 2727 Egret Way in Frederick. I am writing to ask the Board of Aldermen to get behind the Covid-19 Relief Grant Program and pass it for the sake of our children, families and Seniors in Frederick City of which over 50% of our residents are defined at Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. As an executive with the YMCA of Frederick County, I have seen first hand the struggles and difficulties many of our families have been experiencing during this extraordinary time. Frankly, I am not sure what many families would do without the support of non-profits such as the Y during this time as we have provided child care for essential personnel to fed homeless families from Frederick City at our camp in the Catoctins for 2 months, pulled together the SNAP market for families using such benefits. We have sponsored weekly donation drives to feed hungry families, provided personal protective equipment and important hygiene supplies to Seniors and other at risk populations and so much more. Non-profits have been the backbone of the Frederick City communities in need. Without our efforts, the city would have struggled even more so to care for its neediest residents. Thank you for making this relief program happen so that we can continue to serve our families for a longer period of time.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Coppit
301-307-2900
My name is Josh Henson and I live in the 200 block of Dill Avenue in Frederick. I am writing to express strong support for the COVID-19 Relief Grant program and ask the Board of Alderman to support passage of this important source of funding for the children of our city.
As a long term resident I have seen first-hand the number of amazing organizations in Frederick offering vital services to our children. These organizations operate innovative and impactful programs at a cost that is way below the value they provide. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these organizations are struggling to hit their normal fundraising goals as many of their funding sources have been dramatically affected by the subsequent economic downturn.
This is exactly the time where a grant program such as this is needed to help provide products and services that can be demonstrated to have direct impact on the educational, nutritional, or mental health needs of our children. Please strongly consider supporting this grant program!
Kind Regards,
Josh Henson
My name is Barbara Dillon and I reside in the city at 28 Lord Nickens Street. I volunteer with Blessings in a Backpack of Frederick and am writing to request that the Covid-19 Relief Grant Program be passed by the Board of Aldermen. For several years, BIAB has been providing weekend bags of food to city school children who rely on school meals for the majority of their nutrition. Prior to Covid-19, our volunteers would pack bags of food at the schools we served. The average cost of each bag was about $3.10. Since Covid-19, it has been very difficult for our local vendors to supply us with the quantities of food we need as supply chains have been greatly disrupted. We have supplemented our local purchases with pre-packed bags of food we buy through our non-profit's national headquarters. The cost of the food we purchase has increased to an average of $4.50 per weekend bag due to the effect of Covid-19. Our volunteers have stuck with us, and they distribute food from the front door of the schools, and also go into neighborhoods to distribute to be sure we are reaching as many of our vulnerable children as possible. Previously, we provided weekend food only during the 38-week traditional school year. The families we serve are struggling and their situations are not getting any better. Due to Covid-19, for the first time, we are planning to continue providing weekend food throughout the summer. This will add an additional 10 weeks of food costs to our program. I ask you to vote in support of this Grant Relief program so Blessings in a Backpack and other nonprofits serving our most vulnerable city residents have the opportunity to apply for funds to continue to serve their needs.
My name is Mary-Ellen Mitchell and I live in Frederick. I ask that the Board of Alderman vote to approve the funding for these grants. As school ends, children in the City have few choices to keep them engaged and learning over the summer. Pools are closed until July. Summer camps - if offered at all - will serve fewer children because of the Governor's rules on social distancing. Parents who are unemployed or under-employed have no ability to send their children to camps or activities.
Who will fill this gap in services to city youth? Your nonprofit community!
Funding is scarce - and I apply for grants on behalf of my company's nonprofit clients. In a recent example - we asked for $10,000 and received $2,000. Funders are being conservative given our national economic situation. The $10,000 would have provided for 200 children being served. The $2,000 meant 40 children were served. That left 160 children without essential needs being met - and their parents were counting on assistance.
51% of the city's residents are defined as ALICE : Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed per the United Way's website. 10% of the 51% live below the poverty line. The children in these families weren't having basic needs met in good times.
Please vote to support this funding initiative. Nonprofits have few other places to turn. The community COVID fund helps, but its not enough. Individuals donations are down. Corporate donations are down. The only thing growing around here are the community's needs - and our children are unable to help them selves. Their parents are struggling. Please support this funding and let the nonprofits step up and help. Thank you!
My name is Malcolm Furgol and I reside at 36 W 6th ST with my wife and two children. I was excited to hear about the proposed COVID-19 Relief Grant Program to support nonprofits serving children. As a parent to two young children I am very aware how parents can use all the support they can get with their children, and the importance of programming for all children, whether they have started kindergarten or not. Our own daughter had been attending preschool regularly before the pandemic, and it has been very challenging for her to miss out on her lessons and interactions with children her age.
We are fortunate enough to have my in-laws live next door and have access to other resources that have made the last few months manageable. I can only imagine how challenging it is for others, and through my work in the nonprofit sector I am aware of some of the challenges that too many of our city's families are dealing with. I believe a grant program supporting organizations serving our most vulnerable children is critically needed at this time and hope that the proposed grant program is authorized and implemented soon. Please note I am submitting this comment as a private resident, not as an employee of United Way of Frederick County.