UPDATE 4/30/20: In the face of illness, economic collapse, and the failure of institutions to answer to the needs of our community, we have received over 70 applications for direct aid, primarily from undocumented members of our NYC LGBTQ Caribbean community primarily requesting food and housing assistance.  Because of the overwhelming need, we have increased our fundraising goal to $20,000 and partnered with a national LGBTQ organization who will match future donations dollar for dollar.  IT'S CRUCIAL THAT WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY to expand our ability to help our community in crisis. Every dollar counts, so PLEASE, donate and share in your networks. We can do this together, we CAN care for each other and protect our most vulnerable folx. With love, solidarity, and righteous resistance, Caribbean Equality Project  The Caribbean Equality Project's (CEP) COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund For Black &amp; Brown Queer and Trans People is a response to the devastating effects of both the outbreak COVID-19 in New York City and the self-quarantine orders imposed by state authorities. Undocumented workers and LGBTQ people are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Many of our community members have lost their employment, but don’t qualify for unemployment based on their undocumented, refugee, and/or asylum status.  Our Black and brown, queer and trans low-income members have asked us for financial relief. Many have little to no family support and are living in the NYC shelter system, in single-room occupancies (SROs), or in rented studio apartments. Our community is resilient, but many members live in fear of eviction while experiencing landlord harassment, food insecurity, healthcare insecurity, and the overwhelming stress of living in the pandemic.   We are dedicated to providing resources, guidance, emotional support, and material aid throughout this period of uncertainty. But we cannot do that without the donations of people who can afford to contribute to this fund. Our COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund For Black &amp; Brown Queer and Trans People will benefit: Caribbean LGBTQ undocumented people Caribbean LGBTQ healthcare workers Caribbean LGBTQ HIV impacted community members Caribbean LGBTQ documented and undocumented families, youth and vulnerable immigrants Displaced Caribbean LGBTQ hourly essential staff What will we fund? Hot Meals - Community members in immediate need of a hot meal can contact CEP to place a pick-up food order at a local establishment of their choice.  Healthcare Co-Pays - To support immunocompromised community members to fill prescriptions, including HIV impacted folks Visa Debit Cards - CEP will issue prepaid Visa cards to help cover grocery, personal care needs, and toiletry costs Direct Cash Transfers - Emergency cases that involve the threat of eviction or similar critical issues may be given cash directly. Cash transfers can help address quality of life issues that result from loss of income such as the payment of various essential utilities and bills (electric, heating, phone, etc). Metrocards -  Transit support for low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants working reduced hours  Since the imposed Social Distancing Protocol and the outbreak of COVID-19 in NYC, the Caribbean Equality Project has been remotely responding to and doing the following: Food &amp; Housing Justice Providing financial relief for food and sharing food pantry resources Providing metrocards support to low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants working reduced hours Mental health outreach and digital support Daily mental health check-ins by phone and on a digital platform starting the third week of March Community education &amp; healthcare, including sharing health insurance resources to get uninsured community members covered Census 2020 social media outreach to encourage Caribbean &amp; Caribbean LGBTQ people to complete the census General COVID-19 and Census 2020 education    Responding to several incidents of housing discrimination and harassment, and connecting community members to legal representation Financial relief to undocumented and asylum-seeking Caribbean LGBTQ+ people due to loss of income (e.g. rent, utilities, &amp; mobile bill) CEP’s advocacy and organizing is all volunteer-run, with a focus on community building and education, facilitation of pro-bono legal representation for Caribbean LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, culturally competent mental health resources, visibility at city-wide pride parades and cultural festivals, and empowering LGBTQ+ Caribbean diasporic community through storytelling and resource sharing.  The <a href="https://www.caribbeanequalityproject.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caribbean Equality Project</a>  is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, registered non-profit organization. All contributions and donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.  Be Social! Help us to maximize our relief efforts by sharing our COVID-19 e-fundraiser with your networks! Tag us on Twitter @caribequality and Instagram @caribbeanequalityproject. For more information or to make a donation by phone, please email: [email redacted] or phone [phone redacted].

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Emergency Relief Fund For LGBTQ+ Caribbeans

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