The COVID-19 Coalition — a combination of philanthropy, government, educational, and business partners in Midland County— is identifying short- and long-term solutions to support the community amidst the pandemic.
Led by the Midland Area Community Foundation and United Way of Midland County, the Coalition has launched a COVID-19 online resource hub for Midland County. The site — located at www.reliefmidland.org — is embedded into the 211 Northeast Michigan website.
“There’s so much information about the COVID-19 pandemic scattered across numerous sites. It can feel overwhelming and confusing about where to go to access information,” said Holly Miller, executive director of United Way of Midland County. “This resource hub — reliefmidland.org — provides one central place for people to go to access local information and resources specific to our community.”
The site includes sections surrounding community resources, such as: health and wellness information, basic needs, employment opportunities, education and childcare, and support for small businesses. Nonprofit organizations can complete a grant application along with sharing organizational needs.
People can also sign up for essential volunteer opportunities and donate to the COVID-19 Response Fund, housed at the Midland Area Community Foundation in collaboration with United Way of Midland County.
“One of the first needs identified in our COVID-19 Coalition meetings was the need for a centralized resource for the Midland community,” said Sharon Mortensen, president and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation. “It is encouraging to see the work of the COVID-19 Coalition as it allows organizations to exercise their strengths and collaborate with community partners at an unprecedented level.”
The COVID-19 Coalition exists to investigate ways to fill funding gaps and support the community in partnership with health and human service agencies, school districts, businesses and municipalities. In the days ahead, the Coalition will continue to collaborate to identify needs and solutions, as well as streamline communications to avoid duplicate efforts.
Midland County COVID-19 Coalition Partners:
• 211 Northeast Michigan
• City of Midland
• Community Mental Health of Central Michigan
• County of Midland
• Dow
• MidMichigan Health
• Midland Area Community Foundation
• Midland Business Alliance
• Midland County Educational Service Agency
• Midland County Health Department
• Midland Public Schools
• United Way of Midland County
If you would like to learn more about resources and how you can help, visit the COVID-19 resource hub at reliefmidland.org.
