Emergency Assistance Fund
This week City Council approved a $25 million emergency fund for residents who need help meeting their basic needs right now—needs like food, housing, utility bills, and more. Residents in need can call 311 to learn more and apply or visit
www.SanAntonio.gov/NHSD. The money comes from various sources, including redirecting of federal funds that were originally programmed for other projects. However, the City Council is in agreement that keeping residents in their homes and ensuring they have money for basic needs are among our highest priorities at this time.
This pandemic has thrown the lives of many residents into uncertainty and constant stress. The emergency fund is a commitment to them that their City leaders are working to make sure they can put food on the table and keep their bills from piling up—in short, that they can find security and stability during this time.
Thank you to those residents who wrote in support of increasing the emergency fund.
However, $25 million is not enough for the tens of thousands of families in need right now. I ask all those of you who are able to support the fund, and your neighbors, to consider making a contribution
here
or texting HousingHelpSA to 41444.
Food Bank Assistance
Additionally, I’m happy to meet the challenge issued by my colleague, Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, and join her in donating $5,000 to the San Antonio Food Bank. As I’m sure you’ve seen, the Food Bank is serving record numbers of people and they need our support to continue to do so. If you have money to spare, you can help them help San Antonio by donating
here.
Health Transition Team
I was honored to serve as the City Council Liaison to the Health Transition Team. The group is wrapping up its preliminary guidance this weekend. The group’s Chair, Dr. Barbara Taylor, will briefly discuss the work of the group this coming Monday, April 27, at the regular 6:13 p.m. update provided by the Mayor and Judge.
In addition, Dr. Taylor will provide a detailed presentation to a joint meeting of the Commissioners Court and City Council this Tuesday, April 28, at 1 p.m., via internet conference.
If you have any questions or comments, reach out to our office for assistance.
Facebook Live on COVID-19 Response this Wednesday
Lastly, I would like to invite you to join me for a Facebook Live conversation this Wednesday evening on the latest in the COVID-19 Response, including:
- Health Transition Team report to City Council and Council’s response
- Comments on the Governor’s guidance
- Potential extension of San Antonio’s Stay Home/ Work Safe order
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We will get through this, together, San Antonio.
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Editor’s Note: Last week we mailed out informational postcards regarding COVID-19 to older residents. If you have any questions about it or would like to receive a copy, please contact us! Please note, the cards were designed prior to the requirement for wearing of masks in public places.
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Local COVID-19 Updates
- As of April 23, there are 1,195 cases of COVID-19 in San Antonio. 383 of these individuals have made a full recovery. Unfortunately, we have had 43 deaths attributed to the virus in San Antonio.
- Mayor Nirenberg and Judge Wolff announced the formation of a COVID-19 Economic Transition Team that will help guide the safe reintroduction of activities and businesses suspended by the national pandemic. Starting with the guidance by the Health Transition team, the economic team will consider best practices and their applicability to area industries, sector-based guidelines for physical distancing and strategies to support preventative health and safety of workforce and vulnerable populations, and other factors.
- As of April 20, the Stay Home, Work Safe order requires certain exempt businesses, such as grocery stores, warehouse stores, and big-box stores to limit the number of people inside their establishments to 25 percent of the limit listed on their certificate of occupancy.
- Two new drive-thru COVID-19 testing locations will open this week on the far west and south sides of San Antonio. The Texas MedClinic drive-thru COVID-19 is located at 2530 SW Military and the Walmart drive-thru testing location will operate at their store parking lot located at 8923 W Military Drive beginning on Saturday, April 25.
- Please continue practicing social distancing and frequent hand-washing. Please remember that for now, public or private gatherings with people outside of one's household are expressly prohibited by the Stay Home, Work Safe Order.
Community Updates
- Senior Planet offers online activities for residents in our community to enhance digital literacy and maintain social connection during this time. For a list of activities, click here.
- The San Antonio Clubhouse has moved online! The San Antonio Clubhouse is a Community Center where adults with mental health conditions can volunteer, learn and grow. They offer online programming at all hours of the day for your convenience. If you are interested in joining in on their daily meetings, click here or call 210-798-1619.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife has modified its operations to include opening state parks for day use only. Click here to learn more.
- Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will receive nearly $54 million in federal funds to support older Texans and people with disabilities during the COVID-19 response.
- The Texas Health and Human Services Department has launched a statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic at 833-986-1919. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- VIA Metropolitan Transit will begin operating on an “Essential Service” schedule on Monday, April 27, which maintains or improves current schedules for routes that continue to see high ridership and adjusts others based on changing conditions. Click here to view adjusted schedule.
- The Texas Workforce Commission has been experiencing a high volume of calls within the last weeks. If you are having trouble applying for benefits, reach out to the office of State Senator Jose Menendez at 210-733-6604.
As a reminder, please be mindful of where you receive your information. Trust only reliable news sources that provide the latest and most accurate information.
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Learn How to Plant a Tree to Celebrate Earth Day
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Councilwoman Sandoval joined the Parks Department to celebrate Earth Day by planting a new tree at Woodlawn Lake Park. Watch the video to get tips on tree planting from a City Forester.
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Meet Your Neighbor:
Erin Aparicio
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"Living here in the time of social distancing has been interesting, but also reassuring that we are in a great place. Neighbors almost always wave and say hello from a healthy distance as we head out to stretch our legs each day."
Click here
to read the full article by the Rivard Report.
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The following buttons link to community resources should you need any assistance. If you need a service that is not listed below, please contact our office at 210-207-0870 or by email at District7@SanAntonio.gov.
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Additionally, please note the following resources:
- Beware of price gouging. It is illegal to raise the cost of necessary supplies at any point during a declared disaster. Call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online.
- Small, minority, and women-owned businesses may qualify for 0% interest loans from between $500 to $100,000 from LiftFund.
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Federally Qualified Clinics
for Uninsured Persons
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How You Can Help Your Neighbors
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Looking for a way to help your neighbors during this time? Here are a few ideas:
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The City has identified the following community volunteer opportunities:
- Consider checking in on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly or have pre-existing medical conditions. Give them a call or send them a text message to let them know you're willing to help if they need it. If you're getting ready to go to the grocery store, consider offering to pick up items they might need.
- Prepare hygiene kits for outreach to homeless persons. Individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness may not have access to COVID-19 information or hygiene supplies. City of San Antonio Homeless Street Outreach Teams will deliver hygiene kits, assess needs, and connect people to services.
- Hygiene kits for the street homeless population are needed. Hygiene kits will include, but are not limited to, the following: hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, soap, bottle of water, socks, and snacks. Items may be packaged in plastic grocery bags.
- Hygiene kits can be delivered to your nearest SAPD SAFFE substation. Additional information at: https://www.sanantonio.gov/SAPD/SAFFE
- Deliver food to seniors with Meals on Wheels. Many seniors in our community depend on home food delivery while self-distancing. Volunteers are needed to deliver perishable and non-perishable food items to their homes.
- Contact Meals on Wheels at samanthaf@mowsatx.org or call (210) 599-7405 ext. 309.
- Volunteer as an Elder Friend with Meals on Wheels. Homebound elderly individuals are in need of socialization and friendship.
- Elder Friend volunteers typically serve three hours per week with a home-bound senior and do things such as play games, take a walk, run small errands or go out to eat as advisable.
- Contact Meals on Wheels at samanthaf@mowsatx.org or call 210-599-7405 ext. 309.
- Volunteer with homeless service providers. Volunteers are needed to provide services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Volunteers assist with serving meals, sorting clothes, engaging with clients (arts/crafts, singing, etc.) and helping with everyday program operations.
- Contact SARAH Volunteer Registration here.
- Contact Have for Hope Volunteer Opportunities at volunteers@havenforhope.org or 210-220-2549 or here.
- Plan grocery shopping strategically. Major grocers are overwhelmed with urgent shoppers while small grocers are under-shopped.
- To redistribute the crowds, use NextDoor, or other social media, to organize your neighborhood’s shopping days. Note smaller grocers in your area as alternatives. Example: Odd house numbers shop Monday, Wednesday, Friday and even numbers shop Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Designate Sundays or a particular time window for elderly shoppers.
- Participate by putting a sign with #taketurns in your window. Use #taketurns to spread the word.
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Updates from Local Universities
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District 7 Office
Work Arrangements
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During this time, the District 7 Office is continuing to work for you. We are taking the following precautions to protect your health and ours:
- We will remain accessible for your phone calls and emails.
- We will begin calling into neighborhood association and HOA meetings, should you choose to host them. If you would like help hosting a video or conference call for your NA/HOA meeting, we can assist!
- We are postponing office events for the time being.
We appreciate your understanding.
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Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr, Ste #160
Monday - Friday:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed for Lunch:
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
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Plaza de Armas
100 Military Plaza
Monday - Friday:
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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