Dear Friends,
This morning I spoke with a women who was in a panic. She works 100% by commission and has had no customers for two days. Her rent and car payments are due soon. She told me that she has never asked for help. “I often help feed the homeless, but I just realized that if I can’t find work and pay my bills, I’m going to become homeless myself.”  
MAM was formed nearly 40 years ago and we are facing another unprecedented situation and MAM is still here to help. Today, our staff continues to be hard at work helping others from their home offices. Though we have modified our delivery method, MAM continues to provide critical services, and is ramping up to support the many families who will be impacted by the COVID-19 situation.  
Our Client Navigator Bernie is the initial point of contact for the families needing assistance, whether affected by the Watson explosion, COVID-19 or other personal crisis . He is checking voicemail messages, triaging to the appropriate home-based staff and providing some forms of emergency financial assistance. We expect to hear from many people, who no longer have jobs and rent payments are looming on the first of the month. We don’t yet know the extent unemployment and other assistance that may be available to displaced workers, but we will be there to help.
We have many clients currently working with employment and financial coaches.  Volunteers and staff are setting up virtual and telephone meetings with their clients, and new clients can enroll through an online intake form. One client is working on creating a resume and his job coach has been crucial in helping him identify his strengths because setbacks have caused him to doubt his abilities. When this crisis is over, he will be ready to present himself to potential employers with confidence.

Our Immigration Legal Services and Mental Health Teams are conducting telephone meetings, like Eddie Molina, pictured, doing a teletherapy session from home.
As most of you know, MAM Resale Store contributes nearly 40% of revenue to operate programs and services at MAM.  The Resale staff have packed up donations to take home and price so we can build an online sales program until we can reopen our store.  Stephanie is home pricing Vera Bradley bags!

It has been inspiring to see the amount of energy and innovation that our staff and volunteers have invested to ensure MAM doesn’t miss a beat! Please know that MAM as an organization is committed to supporting our entire community during this uncertain time.
Our hearts and prayers go out to each of you as you deal with this crisis of unknown duration. We will keep working hard to help the families that are so important to you.  We wish continued good health and safety for each of you and look forward to greeting you with handshakes and hugs in the future.

Peace and Grace to you all,

Sonja Gee

We Invite You to Join Us as the Work Continues
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