[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It was at the end of March – on a Tuesday afternoon – that we convened a conversation of immigrant-led and immigrant-serving organizations, agencies and leaders across the city.
It was a rapid response action: how do we all get in a conversation so as not to duplicate work when each day was critical? How do we act quickly to leverage the gifts and skills, resources and relationships to respond as a community in the face of sweeping and sudden job loss with no government support specifically for those that are undocumented in our community?
We heard from undocumented leaders –
The pandemic was exposing long-standing systemic injustices:
Undocumented workers hold up our food systems and yet do not
qualify for unemployment benefits.
No stimulus checks were coming for undocumented tax payers.
Can you believe that undocumented tax payers have not and will not receive a stimulus check?
And, rent was soon due. Within days ISAAC’s Emergency Immigration Fund quickly responded launching a COVID-19 Rapid Response Special Initiative.
By April 1st a bilingual application was live for immediate financial support and essential mini-grants of $300 were dispersed with few hurdles.
Your gift to the Emergency Immigration Fund will help to replenish the only fund in Larimer County offering immediate financial support to those within our community who are in crisis and are undocumented.
To date, the fund has dispersed over 315 grants — distributing almost 100K in much needed funds. The stories of impact are countless and the demand for immediate relief continues.
Your gift will make a significant impact locally to those folks within our community who have been locked out of most sources of relief. Everything that you give will directly support undocumented families in our community. Thank you for your generosity and for opening up to the ways COVID-19 is not hitting us all equally.
Give to the Emergency Immigration Fund here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Katie believes the best things in life are the result of collaboration and diverse perspectives coming together to produce something greater than any individual could. She is passionate about systems, efficiency and collaboration for better community outcomes. She loves dreaming up the big picture and drafting the roadmap to make it happen. She has a background in operations, fundraising, communications and program development, as well as over a decade of nonprofit management experience in Northern Colorado.
Her greatest joy in life comes from her family. Her husband, Steven, a principal at Wellington Middle School, and daughters Emmaline and Esmae are the lights of her life. Together they love mountains, music and all kinds of food. She is passionate about women supporting other women in all stages of life and especially through the critical moments that make or break us. She believes that one of the most important things in life is to be kind.
Being outdoors makes her soul come alive. It always roots her in gratitude and is one of the reasons she loves living in Fort Collins.