The Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley in partnership with the First Southwest Community Fund created the SLV Response Fund to help local nonprofits in their efforts to serve the most vulnerable communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. First Southwest Community Fund provided $7,500 in matching funds through their Emergency Micro-Grant program enabling a total of $24,500 to be distributed.
San Luis Valley nonprofits, along with the broader SLV community, have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. From laying off staff, to increasing demand for services, and serving the most vulnerable communities, SLV nonprofits are on the front lines of the pandemic.
Applications were scored by a panel of community representatives. Funding was based on serving a critical need and serving the most vulnerable communities. Organizations funded are located in Alamosa, Antonito, Creede, Crestone, Del Norte, and San Luis. They serve all six counties of the San Luis Valley.
Thank you to other supporters of the SLV Response Fund including the Anderson Family Foundation and the King Foundation.
Organizations who will receive funding from the SLV Response Fund are:
San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center $2,500
The organization has seen an increase in clients needing food, rent, and utility assistance. Most immigrant workers lost their jobs or saw their hours decreased.
Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley $2,500
The Boys & Girls Club is serving as a provisionally licensed emergency childcare center for school-aged youth.
La Puente $2,500
The organization will serve people who have difficulty cooking for themselves, people who do not have sufficient food at home, and those who are homeless and unsheltered.
San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition $2,500
The organization is working with statewide and local partners to create response and relief to essential food value chains from seed, farmer, distribution, retail, prepared food, food banks, and schools.
Creede Early Learning Center $2,500
CELC is providing remote learning opportunities, as well as putting together resource packets and household items such as food and diapers to keep education and discovery going, and ease some of the stress at home.
San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society $2,500
The shelter is filled to capacity with rescued homeless dogs because they are being abandoned and many are being surrendered because owners cannot afford to feed them.
Rio Grande Hospital & Clinics $2,500
RGHC is a healthcare provider and critical access hospital. They have incurred unexpected expenses with having to set up a COVID-19 specific area, masks, supplies, and other essentials.
South Central Colorado Seniors $2,500
Through their Nutrition Program, with nine meal sites valley-wide, SCCS continues to deliver meals five-days-per-week. Nutrition staff is making it possible to feed seniors and validate that they are safe.
Antonito Together $1,500
The organization is expanding the Meals on Wheels program to seniors on the waiting list to ensure that vulnerable seniors are able to get the meals and nutrition they need.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors $1,500
Neighbors Helping Neighbors will directly pay bills to the company for people in crisis to catch them up from overdue payments and help prevent services from being cut off.
Community Resources & Housing Development $1,500
CRHDC will provide emergency rental and utility assistance to low income families throughout the valley.
For more information or to find out how you can help these or other SLV nonprofits during this tough time, please contact the Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley at 719.679.2970 or CFSLV123@gmail.com.