October 19, 2020
Dear Friends and Community Partners,
We wanted to update you on Urban Edge’s status through the current COVID-19 crisis. There is no doubt that no matter your race, economic or immigration status, gender, or age, you are feeling the impact of COVID-19 in some way, as we are. The pandemic has moved with breathtaking speed from an abstract threat to a harsh reality; there is no doubt that this pandemic is exacerbating existing racial inequities.
With people of color over-represented in service sector jobs, reliant on public transportation, and living in intergenerational households (where social distancing is more challenging), we know that the families that Urban Edge serves are at greater risk. And that is why we are still here, continuing to do everything we can to help them and the surrounding neighborhood.
Since June, we have been working from a hybrid model, with staff working from home three days a week and in the office two days a week and socially distanced. For the most part, we are serving the community through virtual platforms. When that is not possible, we meet with people in-person while maintaining social distancing and following public health guidelines.
Please know that we continue to carry out our mission and respond to our community’s evolving needs. If you need help, check out our directory and reach out to the appropriate person: https://www.urbanedge.org/about/staff/. If you need resources in the city, please click here for more information as it becomes available to us: https://www.urbanedge.org/press/resources/
We continue to monitor the situation as it evolves and determine if we should take further action regarding programs, events, meetings, and day-to-day operations. We ask our residents, employees, neighbors, and community we serve to follow the guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We wish you all continued good health.
