Somerville Starts Coronavirus Relief Fund For Residents

SOMERVILLE, MA — Mayor Joseph Curtatone and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley announced the launch of the Somerville Cares Fund to support the essential needs of Somerville community members most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The fund, created in partnership with the United Way, will provide emergency funding to all Somerville residents, regardless of immigration status, as well as all Somerville workers, including those recently laid off from their jobs.

"When times are tough in Somerville, we see just how supportive and resilient our community really is," Curtatone said in a statement. "During the extraordinary challenges brought on by this pandemic, we have witnessed the incredible hard work of essential workers and healthcare providers. We have also seen tremendous acts of kindness and generosity on the part of the general public. It is in the spirit of coming together as a community so no individual is left behind that we launch the Somerville Cares COVID-19 Relief Fund."

Through the fund, support will be made available to people and families with the greatest need: those who have lost their jobs, for example, and are struggling to cover basic needs like food, utilities, rent/mortgage, healthcare or child care. The fund will be hosted by the United Way and administered by the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS).

"United Way is proud to stand with Mayor Curtatone along with the residents, businesses, nonprofits and community leaders in Somerville to help those who are most in need access critical resources during this unprecedented crisis," Michael K. Durkin, president and chief executive officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. "It will take all of us working together to ensure those who were the most vulnerable before the pandemic do not also experience the deepest impact."

Applicants will not need to provide a social security number or any immigration information when pursuing these funds. CAAS, which has served as Somerville’s federally designated anti-poverty agency since 1981, will rely on long-standing experience and protocols to triage applications by need.

To make a donation, go to https://unitedwaymassbay.org/covid-19/somerville-cares-fund/
After a brief period of fundraising, community members will be able to begin applying for support from the fund. Information on how to apply will be posted and shared as soon as sufficient funds are available to disburse.