Last week, we heard from Oregon state economists.

They predict the sharpness in the decline of state revenue is unprecedented. This has sweeping implications for every Oregonian.

As our elected leaders create an economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever they champion policies that provide support and relief to individuals and communities across Oregon who are hardest hit by COVID-19: low-wage earners, people experiencing homelessness, women, immigrants, and Black, indigenous and people of color.

Central City Concern is still here for our most vulnerable populations, now more than ever. 

We have a long history of providing support for people experiencing homelessness with complex health care needs, focusing on client-centered, wraparound, highly flexible services and economic opportunity. We know these services work to end homelessness.

We’ve stepped up our response during the COVID-19 pandemic by:

• Implementing a COVID triage phone number for urgent health care needs for all CCC residents.
• Providing access to phones to simplify the enrollment process for patients with barriers to accessing technology. However, much more is needed than we can currently provide. And, we know not all communities are able to take advantage of tele health options. We need spaces that can provide in-door bathrooms, food, clean water and respite, if traditional "drop-in" spaces continue to unavailable as the state opens back up.
• Implementing excellent infection prevention standards.
• Offering wraparound supports (food boxes, transport, enhanced janitorial services, etc.) in our residential buildings in case any of our residents need to quarantine or isolate.

Now is the time for our elected leaders to do their jobs.

There are two things you can do today:

1. Support our message on social media: Oregon needs a COVID response that puts people first and protects the vital services our communities depend on. #ORleg

2. Donate to CCC and support our COVID-19 response efforts today.

For the past 40 years, the Portland community has trusted Central City Concern to respond to the changing needs of people experiencing homelessness with innovation and compassion. The impact of COVID-19 on our community is significant, especially among our most vulnerable citizens. As part of Bank of America’s $100 million global coronavirus community relief effort — which is in addition to its yearly $250 million philanthropic commitment — the bank stepped up to help CCC cover higher costs and reduced client income associated with the impacts of the new coronavirus. Areas of greatest impact include increased uncompensated care; new cleaning and safety protocols; more intensive medial services within limited group sizes and staffing as we deliver services via telehealth and group conferencing; and meals for residents with underlying health conditions who are unable to leave their units. The generous Bank of America grant will help Central City Concern address the shortfall our clients anticipate as they adapt to these unprecedented challenges and demand grows for the services we provide.

Thank you, Bank of America, for helping us meet the needs of our community as we continue to deliver life-saving services!

“Central City Concern has taken swift action to care for the well-being of its patients, clients and residents in response to the evolving challenges of coronavirus, and additional resources are required now to meet the growing need. Our investment will enable CCC to continue their work delivering care and resources to fellow Oregonians. CCC’s positive impact is measurable and crucial to the recovery that lies ahead, and we know they are uniquely positioned to make a difference for more than 13,500 residents annually in the Portland region. Now more than ever, we are in this together to address the needs of our community.”
Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America's Market President in Oregon and Southwest Washington

Providence was one of Central City Concern’s (CCC) first partners to offer financial support for our COVID-19 response efforts when its St. Joseph Community Partnership Fund awarded CCC a grant of $20,000 in March. The grant helped cover early costs associated with the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), patient screening tools, cleaning supplies and higher levels of care for at-risk clients and residents who need to self-isolate or quarantine.

Providence has also supported CCC during COVID-19 through much-needed in-kind gifts. Amidst nationwide shortages of PPE, Providence generously gave 1,530 gloves, 1,370 procedure masks, 58 N95 masks and ten gowns to our front-line medical staff. For our residents and patients, Providence provided “comfort kits.” These included snacks, hygiene items, socks, puzzles and games which CCC distributed at our Supportive Housing and Recuperative Care Program sites.

Thank you, Providence, for your continued support of Central City Concern and our staff, patients, residents and clients!

“Providence has long partnered with Central City Concern, most recently on the development of the Blackburn Center — a beacon of progress in our communities’ efforts to collaborate through the Housing is Health network. In this time of COVID-19, Providence is pleased to have supported Central City Concern with PPE and essential funding to ensure services remain in place for our city’s most vulnerable.”
Joseph Ichter, DrPH, MHA, Director of Community Health Investment