Updated Resources

Scroll down to 3/16/2020 to see our initial response and initial list of resources.

5/6/2020 Updates

Equitable Economic Advancement Collaborative 

EndHunger Durham Interactive Food Resource Map

4/21/21 Updates

IEI Open Space Weekly Conversations with Faith Leaders:  Zoom URL: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/600811132

  • TUESDAYS 10-11 AM: “HOW are you doing”

Every Tuesday, our open space call will be to see how we’re feeling. We want to check in on what boundaries, health (physical and mental), and life looks like for you and help each other.

  • THURSDAYS 10-11 AM: “WHAT are you doing”

Every Thursday, our open space call is about troubleshooting and sharing what’s working.  What adaptations are you taking for community ministries? What questions do you have? What’s working and what isn’t working?

Durham Center for Senior Life Free Meals and Incontinence Supplies:

  • TO ENROLL for senior meals, contact Alicia Gant, agant@dcslnc.com919-688-8247103.  Durham Center for Senior Life also has hygiene and incontinence supplies for older adults. Contact Maggie Perez at 919-688-8247x.104.

Welcome Baby Free Infant Diapers and Hygiene Supplies

Catholic Charities Food Distribution Best Practices (helpful for any food distribution groups and volunteers)

Virus Rips Through Navajo Nation

4/16/2020 Updates

Volunteer Opportunities with Hands on Triangle

New Gov. Cooper Order for Retailers

Black Americans Could Suffer More from COVID-19

Town Hall for Faith Based Organizations with Congressman Price

Durham FEAST provides complete meals, fresh produce, and shelf-stable ingredients to children and adults experiencing food insecurity during COVID-19. https://www.durhamfeast.org/.

****If anyone needs cloth masks donated please reach out to Danielle Lockley, Danielle.wiggins9@gmail.com, 919.280.7595. She is a local seamstress that wants to donate cloth masks.****

Immigrant Solidarity Fund

I Pledge to Share My Check

Share My Check

4/9/2020 Updates

How Larger Churches Can Help Smaller Churches During COVID-19

Relief Fund for Small Churches

During pandemic, small and aging churches face obstacles to adapt

Meals for Kids in NC During COVID-19 School Closures 

You Don’t Have to Believe in God to Witness a Crucifixion this Week

4/8/2020 Updates 

Below are two messages for congregations this Easter from the Durham County Health Department. The first could be shared by faith leaders during service if they would like. The second message below has information that can be sent out through email and has more resources included. I also attached flyers with resource information.  Thank you for your help in sharing accurate information about COVID-19 throughout Durham.
 
Message #1
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Durham County Department of Public Health wants to make sure you get accurate and up-to-date information to keep you and your families safe. Please take note of the following, and share this information with your friends and loved ones:
  • Social distancing is our best tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect everyone in the community. The more you stay in your own home now, the sooner we can all safely go out again. When you do have to go out, remember to stay at least six feet from others, and if possible, wear a cloth mask to prevent spreading COVID to others.
  • For help finding resources like food, housing, and health care, call 211. For free meal sites for children, text FOODNC to 877-877.
  • For accurate COVID-19 information, visit dcopublichealth.org or ncdhhs.gov or call the the Durham County hotline at 919-635-8150. 
  • If you think you have been exposed and have symptoms of COVID-19, CALL your medical provider. Do not show up to the doctor’s office without calling first. 
  • As a reminder to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, keep your hands away from your face and avoid close contact with people who are ill.
  • The Durham County Department of Public health is providing limited services during our modified hours of 9:00am-1:00pm. For a list of available services, visit https://tinyurl.com/DCoDPHcovidhours.
Message #2 to send out
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Durham County Department of Public Health wants to make sure you get accurate and up-to-date information to keep you and your families safe. Please take note of the following, and share this information with your friends and loved ones:
  • Social distancing is our best tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect everyone in the community. The more you stay in your own home now, the sooner we can all safely go out again. When you do have to go out, remember to stay at least six feet from others, and if possible, wear a cloth mask to prevent spreading COVID to others, even if you don’t have symptoms.
  • For help finding resources like food, housing, and health care, call 211. For free meal sites for children, text FOODNC to 877-877.
  • For accurate COVID-19 information, visit dcopublichealth.org or ncdhhs.gov or call the the Durham County hotline at 919-635-8150 or the North Carolina state hotline at 211. 
  • For medical advice, like understanding what to do if you have symptoms, or managing your other medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure during this time, call the state COVID-19 triage line at 1-877-490-6642. 
  • If you think you have been exposed and have symptoms of COVID-19, CALL your medical provider. Do not show up to the doctor’s office without calling first. This helps limit the chances that you or someone else will be exposed to COVID-19. 
  • As a reminder to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, keep your hands away from your face and avoid close contact with people who are ill.
  • The Durham County Department of Public health is providing limited services during our modified hours of 9:00am-1:00pm. We will close to the public at 1:00. To see our hours and a list of available services, visit https://tinyurl.com/DCoDPHcovidhours.

4/7/2020 Updates

Black Christian Solidarity with Asian Americans During COVID-19

The hell of Holy Saturday

Governer’s Order Prohibiting Disconnection of Utilities During Pandemic

Coronavirus Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources

4/6/2020 Updates

How to Live in the Face of Fear: Lessons From a Cancer Survivor

Durham Free Lunch

Parktown Food Hub Fundraiser

Statement by Durham CAN to Release Incarcerated Brothers and Sisters

Arab Christians Have Lost Easter Before. Here’s What They Learned

Coronavirus Resources from Asian Americans Advancing Justice

4/3/2020 Updates

All Digital School Learning Platforms

CCDA Virtual Meeting on the CARES Act for Nonprofits

Share with CCDA how you are being a #virtualneighbor

Plan de Acción para Iglesias Latinas

National Latino Evangelical Coalition Action Plan for Latino Churches (in Spanish)

4/2/2020 Updates

The Body of Christ Continues to Gather in Prison

Sign Up to Deliver Food and Supplies in Durham

Durham County Public Health Update with Rod Jenkins (March 28)

Pandemics and Worship Throughout History

COVID-19 and Worship

4/1/2020 Updates

Statement on Anti-Asian Racism in the Time of COVID-19

Housing Security in the South during COVID-19 

How to Get a Domestic Violence Protective Order

Our Rituals Will Change This Year

Notes from Lockdown in Bruderhof Community

Needs and Offers Helplist

ReCity “Just” Podcast About Coronavirus 

COVID-19 Resource Guide from Office of Congressman David Price

Church Resources from the ECC (including many resources on streaming services)

3/31/2020 Updates

Do you have questions about the governer’s stay at home order? Here are answers

The Work We Can Do During Quarantine

UMC Discipleship COVID-19 Children’s Resources

3/30/2020 Updates

Black and Latino startup churches work to stay afloat during pandemic

Thinking about Good Friday during a pandemic

In Italy, I’ve Rediscovered the Power of Three Types of Prayer

Healthcare Coverage for people losing jobs during pandemic:

English (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://tinyurl.com/vxh7el4__;!!OToaGQ!5SFDP-Jkqo4zxWTkA8GkL6MpwQOHzhxCtHNZ7h9eHiJ8cznJKPgXF6RyXbBcXcDmfLDM$ )

Spanish (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://tinyurl.com/ukk8sb9__;!!OToaGQ!5SFDP-Jkqo4zxWTkA8GkL6MpwQOHzhxCtHNZ7h9eHiJ8cznJKPgXF6RyXbBcXWtn-j_c$ ) that are links to Google forms where consumers can give us their contact info to request a direct follow-up.

 

3/27/2020 Updates

COVID 19 Prayer Resource by Dominique Gilliard

COVID-19 Unemployment Issues Affecting Nonprofits

How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19

Nonprofit Resources

3/26/2020 Updates 

DCIA Policy Response Forum Video

Communities in Partnership and Culinary Femme Collective

ReCity Resource Guide

Priorities for Government Action on Housing and Homelessness

NC People’s Platform for COVID and Beyond

Poor People’s Campaign Poverty Amidst Pandemic Platform

3/25/2020 Updates

City of Durham to Announce Stay at Home Order

Governer Cooper to Address Faith Communities:

On behalf of Governor Roy Cooper, I invite our Faith, Nonprofit, Volunteer and Divine-9 partners to a Virtual COVID-19 Engagement Session tomorrow, Wednesday March 25, 2020 from 3:30p-4:30p. You can access the meeting in one of three (3) ways:

Know Your Rights to Paid Leave, Unemployment and Safe Work

3/24/2020 Updates

Love and Nourish Partnership with Restaurants and Feeding Community

El Centro Hispano COVID-19 Response for the Hispanic/Latino Community

WUNC “Tested” Podcast

Reconciliation in Difficult Times Service on Passion Sunday

Calvin Institute for Christian Worship COVID-19 Worship Resources

3/23/2020 Updates

Pastoring in a Pandemic

Coronavirus is Forcing Black Churches to Make Tough Decisions

St. Louis Black Churches Consider Ways to Keep Congregants Safe in Midst of Coronavirus

https://www.standagainsthatred.org/stories

Being a Good Neighbor During a Pandemic

Multifaith Clergy and Spiritual Communal Responses to COVID-19

Calling Coronavirus Chinese Virus Instigates Blame and Hatred Against Asians

Asian People Are Being Targeted By Racist Attacks. Here’s How You Can Be An Ally

RDU Prays Daily Virtual Prayer Room

DCIA Policy Response Forum
Time: Mar 24, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://duke.zoom.us/j/388935911

Takeaways from COVID-19 Black Faith Leaders Call

3/20/2020 Updates

Video from Mayor Schewel

City Response to COVID-19

DCIA Forum for Faith Leaders (Video Recording)

Bull City Responds

Volunteer to be a driver with Durham Public Schools

3/19/2020 Updates

Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs Covid Community Resources: https://sites.duke.edu/covidcommunityresources/

End Hunger Durham Directory of Food Pantries

Anti-Racism Homeschooling Options

For Such a Time as This: Living Out the Gospel during the COVID-19 Pandemic

North Carolina Council of Churches COVID-19 Resources

Words of Strength and Faith from NC Council of Churches

3/18/2020 Updates

United Way Rapid Response Fund

Updated Durham Public Schools Plan

Resources from Faith and Leadership:

Resources for Christian leaders during the coronavirus pandemic

George Mason and Mark Wingfield: How to lead calmly in a global outbreak

Resources from Sojourners Magazine:

Community Without Communing: Resources for Virtual Church
Digital pastors weigh in on shepherding congregations through quarantine.
The Time to Act Like a Community Is Now
COVID-19 is testing our understanding and commitment to our interdependence as the body of Christ.
The Church’s Role in a Pandemic
A pandemic of this magnitude is an opportunity to ask ourselves: What is the true function of community?
Our Church Doors Are Shut and Our Members Quarantined. Yet Grace Abounds
On March 7, Christ Church, Georgetown’s rector, Tim Cole, was diagnosed with COVID-19. Rev. Crystal Hardin speaks to her church’s response.
Protect Your Mental Health While Practicing Social Distancing
Most people battling depression already feel isolated.
The First Rule of Pastoring During an Outbreak: Tell the Truth
Do pastors have any unique responsibilities in the midst of an outbreak?

List of restaurants open for takeout via Bites of Bull City

3/17/2020 Updates

Block-By-Block Mutual Aid Networks – Facebook, Google Doc

Comprehensive Guide for Preparing Your Congregation for COVID-19 (Spanish)

Comprehensive Guide for Preparing Your Congregation for COVID-19 (English)

Practicing Mental Health While Social Distancing

Planning Virtual Church

How to Talk to Children About the Crisis

Duke Memorial UMC’s Creative Ways to Stay Connected

Carolina Public Press Resource Guide

Parktown Food Hub

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Map

3/16/2020

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.

-2 Cor 1:3-4

Dear Friends of DurhamCares,

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to share some resources (scroll down to skip to resources) with you and update you about programming at DurhamCares. In difficult times like these, loving our neighbors takes on particular urgency and precision. We hope this email will bring you comfort and clarity about how to care for yourself, your loved ones, and everyone throughout our city, and indeed, the world.

First, we want to let you know that we are suspending all in-person meetings and events until further notice. This means that the March Pilgrimage is cancelled and Church Mobilization meetings will happen virtually. However, our staff is available for support and guidance to their respective networks. We are committed to our mission during this pandemic: to foster collaboration, develop leaders, and educate the people of our city to care for their neighbors in holistic ways.  

Therefore, we want to offer some resources on a question that many of you may be asking: How do I love my neighbors in a time like this? For where we are right now, here is a start: 

Practice Social Distancing: Public health professionals universally advise that the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to avoid social contact. This means that we need to radically alter our daily lives to prevent as much person-to-person contact as possible, even if we are criticized for overreacting. To be clear: in this case, social distancing is loving your neighbor. Unfortunately, social distancing is a privilege that some cannot afford, so we need to reject any shaming of people who cannot work from home or whose sustenance is at stake. But that is why those who are able to practice social distancing need to be more disciplined for the sake of those who are most at risk.

Care for the Most Vulnerable: The people who are most at risk of severe symptoms and death from COVID-19 are the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Think about those who might fit these categories and check in on them virtually. If checking in virtually is not a possibility, and you believe they do not have anyone else who will check on them, visit them in accordance with CDC guidelines – but only if you have NO SYMPTOMS and HAVE NOT BEEN AROUND PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS. If you have, find someone who is healthy to check on them. And remember that even asymptomatic people can spread the disease, so abide by the guidelines even if you do not have symptoms.

Many in our community are also vulnerable to the economic impacts. These are people who cannot work from home, people who need childcare with schools closed, people who depended on schools to feed their children, people without internet, and people without access to grocery delivery. People living in shelters are now more at risk because of close contact and a reduced number of volunteers. At the bottom of this email are some ways you can support some of the organizations and initiatives addressing these challenges.

Advocate for the Most Vulnerable: Organizations and individual action alone will not be enough to take care of everyone affected by the virus. The reality is that we need major support on the local, state, and federal level, especially with the scale and speed of COVID-19. Now is the time to advocate to all elected officials that the most vulnerable must be at the center of all relief efforts, and that relief efforts need to be dramatic and enduring.

Reject Racism: The racism toward Asian-Americans in response to COVID-19 is completely unacceptable. The spread of this global pandemic has caused rampant stigmatization, from children in schools, to adults and leaders. For more information about how this is playing out, listen to DurhamCares board member Gina Chung share about her family’s experience on The State of Things, and read this article by our friend, Angie Hong. This is also a time when all the racial inequities of privilege and access are heightened, so please speak out against all racial discrimination that might happen in hospitals, clinics, workplaces, neighborhoods, and organizations.

Reject Hoarding and Stockpiling: Remember that when you buy more food and household supplies than you need, you are depriving others of necessities. This not only applies to grocery stores, but also to online retailers. Loving our neighbors looks like sharing extra as you take care of your basic necessities.

Pray: The spread of COVID-19 has reminded us that our life is beyond our control and that we cannot rely on ourselves or any particular institution to protect us. As we take action, we pray that God would stop the spread of the disease and protect those infected. We pray for the most vulnerable impacted financially. And we pray for all our leaders to make decisions out of care for the people they lead, and not out of selfish intent.

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear: Finally, a novel disease that is dramatically changing life as usual and threatening our lives will naturally make us fearful. We need not be ashamed if we are afraid. But let’s not allow our fear to lead us to greed, selfishness, and violence toward others. We can trust God to meet us in times of affliction and move us from fear to comfort. Taking precautions and caring for the vulnerable with vigilance is not fear – in fact, it is the loving thing to do. As John tells us, perfect love casts out fear.

Please see our list of resources below for concrete ways that you can care for your neighbors during this time. We will keep this up to date here at www.durhamcares.org/covid-19. If you know of additional resources, please email us at info@durhamcares.org. And feel free to reach out if you have any questions. 

Grace and Peace,

Reynolds Chapman

Executive Director

www.durhamcares.org

 

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
    God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
    see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge

– Psalm 46

Resources

*Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. If you know of a resource we should add, please email us at info@durhamcares.org. 

NC Coronavirus Hotline: 1-866-462-3821

Public Health Resources and Official COVID-19 Updates:

Webinar with Community Health Coalition of NC – Monday, March 16, 6pm

Durham County Health Department

NC Department of Health and Human Services

Center for Disease Control

World Health Organization

Eldercare:

Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Updates – provides a healthy meal for homebound seniors

School for Conversion is pairing healthy young adults with seniors for regular check-ins.

Childcare:

Parents of Northern Durham Facebook group is coming up with ways to support parents who cannot work with childcare. If you are not part of this group, you can create a similar group in your neighborhood.  

Durham Partnership for Children

Shelters:

Urban Ministries COVID-19 Amazon Wish List

Families Moving Forward Updates

Durham Rescue Mission COVID-19 Update

Housing for New Hope

Education:

Durham Public Schools Response

Educational Companies Offering Free Subscriptions for home learning

*Note: Breakfast and Lunch will be provided the week of 3/23 and 3/30 per the plan discussed by DPS.

The following schools are participating:
Eno Valley
Southwest Elementary
Sandy Ridge
Hillandale
Southern High
Githens Middle
Bethesda
Club Elementary
Glenn Elementary
R.N. Harris
Shepard Middle
Lakewood Middle
Eastway Elementary
Maureen Joy Charter School

The hours of operation are 8:00 – 9:00 am for breakfast and 11:00 – 1:00 pm for lunch service.  All children ages 1 – 18 years can be served regardless of school attendance or status.

Schools participating are only serving from parking lots so that they are not open to the public.

DPS will be using its staff and not volunteers to serve. 

Food Support:

PORCH Durham COVID-19 Response

Food Bank of NC COVID-19 Preparedness

DPS Foundation coordinating to provide meals

Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Updates – provides a healthy meal for homebound seniors

*Note that the shelters listed above have many food needs as well.

Supporting Local Businesses and Individuals

List of Businesses and Individuals Impacted and How You Can Help (and you can add yourself or your business to this list):  

Church Resources 

Tuesday, 3/17/2020: DCIA Online Forum for Faith Leaders: DCIA Facebook Page

“The Christian Response to the Coronavirus: Stay Home” by Esau McCaulley

“10 Guidelines for Pastoral Care During the Coronavirus Outbreak” by Eileen R. Campbell-Reed

“Should Your Church Stop Meeting to Slow COVID-19? How 3 Seattle Churches Decided” by Daniel P. Chin

“OUR CHURCH DOORS ARE SHUT AND OUR MEMBERS QUARANTINED. YET GRACE ABOUNDS” by Crystal Hardin

“The Time to Act Like a Community is Now” by Adam R. Taylor

Ways to Love Amongst COVID-19 (note this is NYC based, but has good ideas for our context)