In times of crisis, inequities are dramatically exposed.
Health coverage and care are critical for every Coloradan, but only available to some. Our laws and policies have prioritized wealth and power for the few over life, health, and rights for the many, which has considerably slowed and weakened our country’s response to COVID-19. Communities of color–especially immigrant communities–are facing intensified attacks politically, socially, and economically, while being asked to carry a disproportionate amount of “essential” work that runs our economy.
We’re taking action.
Community Resource Connections
Every community is hurting across the state, and some are being impacted much more gravely than others. To meet the need as best we can, we have shifted nearly all of our core operations in the short-term to support our grassroots community members and safety net clinic partners.
- Our community organizers in Fort Morgan and Pueblo are leading extensive phone tree outreach to connect with as many community members, especially immigrants, as possible, to gather survey data and support immediate needs.
- We are leveraging our Coalition for Immigrant Health to disseminate accurate information and resources and also to coordinate on policy responses to the pandemic.
- We have increased our advocacy rapid response to ensure that immigrant rights and access issues are prioritized by Congress and the Governor’s Office.
- We are publishing opinion pieces and serving as credible voices in the media, as well shaping the narrative behind the scenes by providing background and directing reporters to community members in support of immigrants in these difficult times.
- We created a relief fund to distribute cash assistance to immigrant families in Pueblo and Fort Morgan to support their immediate needs. 100% of donations go directly to immigrants in these communities, and immigrants themselves are leading the nomination and decision process to select recipients.
We are working to ensure that the Coloradans who are most vulnerable to the financial and health care access crises of COVID-19 have the information they need to survive this critical time. We’ve developed ourselves or collected from others many resources to help families access health care and other basic needs, like food and housing, and are sharing these across the state with community members, partner organizations, agency staff, and others. Even with the legislature shut down, we are continuing our fight to make sure that everyone in Colorado can take care of themselves and their families.
- RESOURCE GUIDE – Health Care for the Uninsured – English & Spanish
- RESOURCE GUIDE – Community Resources – English & Spanish
- RESOURCE GUIDE – Immigrant Resources – English & Spanish
- WEBSITE – Coalition for Immigrant Health COVID-19 Resources
The need right now is great. We encourage you to support whatever efforts you can in this critical time. If you have capacity, please consider joining as a member, and if you are already a member, please consider increasing your support for our work.
Critical Needs Fund
Center for Health Progress is serving as an umbrella organization for The Denver Foundation’s Critical Needs Fund. We are distributing funds to support several community safety net clinics that provide health care to communities most intentionally and systemically pushed to the margins of our health care system. The following organizations are receiving a portion of the Critical Needs Funds to support their ongoing care for immigrants and Coloradans without health insurance during COVID-19:
- A Kidz Clinic
- Ardas Family Medicine
- Clinica Colorado
- DAWN Clinic
- Doctors Care
- Every Child Pediatrics
- Family Medicine Clinic for Health Equity
- Hopelight Medical Clinic
- Kids First Health Care
- Mission Medical Center
- Open Bible Medical Center
These clinics need your support. Please visit their websites and donate directly.
If you have questions about any of this work or need help connecting to resources, please contact our Director of Community Partnerships, Dana Kennedy.