RICHMOND, Va. -- The City of Richmond has launched an interactive relief site that provides resources and access to services to those effected by COVID-19.
RVAStrong will also provide opportunities for Richmond to donate to local causes providing aid.
“We designed this centralized relief site as a place where those who need help can get it, and those who want to help can offer it,” said Mayor Stoney. “Richmond is city defined by its resilience. We’ll get through this, but we have to support each other. The city hopes to facilitate that through centralizing resources and amplifying the good work already being done.”
Visitors to the website can:
- Explore causes close to their heart, such as housing stability, food security, or families and neighborhoodsfamilies and neighborhoods. Then, they will be able to navigate to a page with donation links and safe volunteer opportunities.
- Identify a need, such as “I need housing support,” or “I need income support,” and be directed toward nonprofit, city, and individual efforts to meet those needs.
- Propose resource or content to add.
- Tell a COVID-19 isolation storythat the city or mayor will share to build a sense of virtual community, if the user gives permission.
- Sign up to receive the COVID-19 Public Briefing, which includes timely updates and links to city resources, via email.
- Donate to the Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund, coordinated by the Community Foundation
“The Community Foundation for a greater Richmond has long been a partner with the City of Richmond. We believe that, more now than ever, a partnership with our public leaders and social services staffs is critical to providing timely relief to our residents,” said Scott Blackwell, Chief Community Engagement Officer with the Community Foundation. “Many foundations, corporations, and individual doors are joining us in providing relief. These partnerships are invaluable and we are grateful for them.”
The city is developing a printable source that will be distributed for those who do not have access to the internet. RVAStrong will soon have printable contact sheets for interested ambassador to distribute to the public.
The city will provide updates on the COVID-19 pandemic online.