WAIM’s COVID-19 Response Fund Begins Disbursing Aid

Willimantic, Conn. (May 23, 2020) — WAIM’s Neighbor Safety Net Fund, established last month to help those suffering from the financial consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, is beginning to disburse payments to area residents. The fund has raised $90,000 in the first round of distributions, which are earmarked for those who have lost jobs, had their work hours reduced, or are otherwise struggling because of pandemic-related hardships.

Proceeds are being deployed to help pay for rent, utility payments, medical bills and other qualified expenses resulting from the pandemic.

“The response from the community has been overwhelming and heartwarming,” said WAIM Executive Director Victoria Nimirowski.

However, donations are still sorely needed, Nimirowski said. The state of Connecticut has indicated it will eventually lift its moratorium on evictions and utility shutoffs; this will inevitably result in pent-up demand and a skyrocketing need for assistance, she said. Thus, while the Neighbor Safety Net Fund has exceeded its original goal of $30,000, the campaign continues. “With so many people struggling right now, additional contributions will ensure that we can reach out to as many people as possible. We want people to know that they are not alone and that they can get the help they need,” Nimirowski said.

For many of the beneficiaries, the Fund already has been a crucial lifeline, the lone buoy in a sea of illness, debt and despair. One such recipient is Patricia, a housekeeper, grandmother, and 25-year resident of the area who lives with her multi-generational family. (For privacy reasons, Patricia asks that only her first name be used.) Patricia and her husband, a farm worker, both found themselves jobless at the beginning of the pandemic, with no way to pay the $800 rent on their home. Around the same time, her three-year-old grandchild was diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. “I didn’t know what we were going to do,” she says.

Then, she found WAIM. The nonprofit arranged to help with the family’s rent payment and referred them to the ACCESS Agency, which has supplied them with food. WAIM’s assistance allowed them to focus on the health of their grandchild, who has since recovered. “I cried I was so happy,” Patricia says of the phone call informing her that assistance would be forthcoming. “I want to thank everyone who helped us.”

Individuals such as Patricia have gotten support from a broad cross section of the community, with the bulk of contributions coming from small donations, Nimirowski said.

Two charitable organizations--The United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and the Connecticut Health Foundation-- have also stepped up to support the Neighbor Safety Net Fund, pledging a total of $25,000.

Other gifts have come from area business owners. Dr. Ruth Buczynski, CEO of the Storrs-based National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM), contributed $20,000 out of a concern that many in the area are being left without. “I’m fortunate to have a way to earn a living right now and I know that many people don’t,” she said. “For those who have trouble accessing healthcare as well, it makes this tough situation even harder. I was glad to have an opportunity to give, and I hope others who can will dig deep and help as well.”

Sheila Amdur, chair of the Windham Region Interfaith Working Group, who helped create the Neighbor Safety Net Fund campaign for WAIM, said she hopes those who need assistance will not hesitate to come forward. “We are part of a community that looks out for one another,” she said. ”That’s what this Fund is all about—helping our neighbors at a time of overwhelming need.”

While the WAIM building is closed until further notice, those seeking help can apply by calling the WAIM office at 860-456-7270 Ext. 12. The Neighbor Safety Net Fund serves residents of Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Hampton, Hebron, Lebanon, Mansfield/Storrs, Scotland, Woodstock, Willington and Windham/Willimantic. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for applying.

Those wishing to contribute can do so by visiting www.waimct.org and clicking on “DONATE” or by sending checks payable to WAIM to P.O. Box 221, Willimantic, CT 06226. In both cases, contributors are asked to note that their donation is for the Neighbor Safety Net Fund. Donations of any amount are welcome.

ABOUT WAIM:

The Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) is an association of churches, synagogues, fellowships and concerned citizens that help those in need in the greater Windham region.

It serves more than 8,000 clients each year by supplying furniture, clothing, and emergency living expenses.

WAIM serves all area residents who qualify for assistance, including those who are unemployed, underemployed, undocumented, refugees, recently released prison inmates, those living in transitional or rehabilitative housing and those living with illness or disabilities.

To learn more, visit www.waimct.org.