Living into our mission in light of COVID-19.
A Note From Our President & CEO
Dear Friends,
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in unprecedented ways, making our work more important than it's ever been. This crisis reaffirms the importance of our mission, especially given the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on lower income households and communities of color.
However, following our mission right now requires new strategic thinking, flexibility and authentic communications. Like many organizations, Jubilee has had to recalibrate how we operate. The four points below reflect the values we have chosen to guide our organization through this moment:
Mission and Staff: Jubilee Housing’s mission is critical, therefore so is our ability to deliver that mission. Employees must be safe, protected, healthy and supported. We must “put on our own oxygen mask first” so we can safely help others.
Residents and Program Participants: The health and safety of residents is our most important service. Our first priority is the sanitization of our buildings and connecting residents to the resources they need to be safe and stable.
Executing Justice Housing: Our current crisis is temporary. The need for justice housing remains. We will continue with the development of our four new justice housing properties, and plan for the expansion of our Reentry Initiative.
Relationships and Support: Community is what sustains and nurtures us. We must strengthen the bonds with our current partners and supporters to weather this crisis and come out stronger on the other side.
Guided by these values, we are increasing our housekeeping and sanitation efforts in 10 of our active buildings, activating new partnerships with Geppetto’s Catering and Martha’s Table to provide meal resources, and are doing regular check-ins with residents to ensure they have access to the resources they need during this time.
We’re also shifting our in-person work online, conducting out-of-school programming, financial empowerment counseling, and community conference calls through Zoom.
While we may be physically separated, we still have a chance to practice solidarity together! If you’d like to support Jubilee Housing during the critical time, you can make a direct donation.
Thank you for being in community with us during this crisis.
With Deep Gratitude,
Jim Knight
President & CEO
Jubilee Housing