Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership
“When you are a single mother, it’s always hectic to stay on top of things financially. But this has been especially hard. Losing your job and child care – “it’s a double–whammy. It impacts your mental health and your positivity. I’m glad my family hasn’t been put out on the streets. The rental help has been a huge help.” – Yesenia, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership beneficiary
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, shortly after U.S. states began issuing stay-at-home orders. With the nation on lockdown, employees and employers felt the beginnings of what would become the highest spike in unemployment since the Great Depression. Within a couple of months, unemployment in the U.S. jumped from 3.8% in February 2020 to 14.7% in April 2020.
According to Pew Research Center: “As it rippled through the economy, the COVID-19 downturn affected some Americans more than others. Unemployment climbed more sharply among women than men, a reversal from the trend in the Great Recession. Young adults, those with less education, Hispanic women and immigrants also experienced greater job losses. Unpartnered mothers saw a bigger drop in the share at work than other parents, and low-wage workers saw a particularly sharp decrease in employment.”
The Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) develops, finances and advocates for affordable housing at scale that promotes racial equity and healthy communities where families thrive. In response to the pandemic, ANDP sought to help those most affected by providing financial housing support, a safe and stable housing environment, and supportive resources. ANDP received a grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) COVID-19 Response Fund to support their work.
One family ANDP helped was Yesenia and her two daughters, ages 5 and 1. Yesenia, a single mother, lost her job – and as a result, lost her child care. With no income, Yesenia was worried about her family becoming homeless. ANDP offered assistance in the form of food, toiletries and personal protective equipment.
They also provided a weekly resource guide, listing all the sources of assistance that were available to help families like Yesenia’s – those suffering economically due to COVID-19. After receiving support from CDP and other funders, ANDP began offering a rental assistance program. Yesenia applied and received multiple months of assistance to help cover rent.
“When you are a single mother, it’s always hectic to stay on top of things financially. But this has been especially hard. Losing your job and child care – it’s a double-whammy. It impacts your mental health and your positivity. I’m glad my family hasn’t been put out on the streets,” said Yesenia. “The rental help has been a huge help.”
COVID-19 has threatened the security of many individuals, families and communities worldwide. CDP is proud to support the work of ANDP and their programs to help those most affected by the pandemic.
