Dear Friends,

We invite you to be part of the LGBTQ Community's response to the wildfires in California. In this issue:  

  • Responding to California's destructive wildfires
  • Immigrant fire survivors face unique challenges
  • Update: Helping children in Uganda
HELP THE SURVIVORS OF THE N. CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
Nearly 8,000 fires have burned over 3.5 million acres, making 2020 the largest wildfire season in California history. 27 major wildfires continue to burn. Thousands have lost their homes and livelihoods.

Please be part of the LGBTQ community's response to the recovery efforts. Specify "California Fire Fund" when you donate online or when sending a check to RWF, 4111 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. 

RWF is partnering with local LGBTQ groups that are mobilizing to provided front-line aid. 

RWF is focusing on helping the communities most impacted including LGBTQ youth and displaced migrant farm worker families.
HELPING UNDOCUMENTED CALIFORNIANS
Many undocumented Californian fire survivors work in temporary or low-wage jobs, without access to sick leave, unemployment or the ability to work remotely. These immigrants do essential work that sustains us all.

Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Even when they do qualify for services, many undocumented immigrants are unlikely to pursue those benefits due to fear of immigration enforcement, lack of familiarity with official institutions, and limited English proficiency.

COLLECTING SUPPLIES

San Francisco COVID-19 restrictions and new bureaucratic policies are hampering our traditional efforts to collect in-kind donations of emergency supplies. We are working with local officials to rectify this. At this time monetary donations will provide us with the most flexibility to help.
PROJECT UPDATE: HELPING CHILDREN IN UGANDA
Thanks to our generous donors, RWF was recently able to make a grant to the Milele Foundation School in Kampala, Uganda. The school works with vulnerable street children, disabled children, and children who traditionally don't go to school. The grant is helping get the school safely open after the COVID-19 lockdown. The school gives many children a safe place to be and hot meals that they can't get at home. RWF has provided support to the school since 2018. Special thank you to San Francisco's Richmond-Ermet Aid Foundation for generously contributing to this effort.

Please allow us to continue helping these children. Specify "Children's Fund" when you donate online or when sending a check to RWF, 4111 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. 
TAKING LGBTQ GIVING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
RWF is the world's first and only all-volunteer, LGBTQ- based humanitarian aid organization. Our mission is to promote peace, unity and hope by leading the LGBTQ movement in participating in humanitarian relief efforts. Since 2000, RWF has donated nearly $5 million of life saving aid.

Bring new hope to our friends and family around the world. Put your tax-deductible gift to work immediately by donating online or mail your donation to Rainbow World Fund, 4111 - 18th Street #5, San Francisco, CA 94114.  
In Solidarity,
 
Jeff Cotter,
Executive Director