COVID-19 Washtenaw County resource guide

The COVID-19 crisis has negatively affected Washtenaw County residents’ lives in myriad ways, but many resources are available for those who need help. We’ll be updating this list of those resources throughout the crisis.

 

General resources

 

• Washtenaw County Health Department provides COVID-19 information and timely updates on COVID-19 cases in the county.

• Huron Valley Mutual Aid and Washtenaw Mutual Aid offer a variety of resources and support through a model of “solidarity, not charity.”
• Engage@EMU offers a comprehensive list of community resources, including volunteer and donation opportunities.
• Looking for your federal stimulus check? The University of Michigan has created this helpful guide to explain how to make sure you get it.

 

Business assistance
 

• The A2Y Chamber offers a comprehensive guide to local, state, and federal resources for local businesses during the crisis.

• Destination Ann Arbor’s business toolkit offers a variety of resources for local businesses during the outbreak.

• The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has a guide to resources for Michigan businesses that need relief during the outbreak.
• The New Economy Initiative has created a resource center for Southeast Michigan small businesses, including funding resources, technical assistance, and mentorship.
• The Washtenaw Small Business Emergency Relief Fund offers working capital grants of up to $5,000 for qualifying small business impacted by the outbreak.

 

Child care assistance

 

• Those who are returning to work and need child care can find it through this form.

 

Education

 

• The Ann Arbor District Library is offering a variety of livestreams and other online programming.

• Eastern Michigan University’s Student Emergency Fund offers up to $750 for students experiencing an unforeseen crisis.

• The Eastern Michigan University University Writing Center is offering online writing support for students.

• Riverside Arts Center is offering a free creativity toolkit that provides creative activity prompts for students.

• The University of Michigan’s Student Emergency Fund offers up to $500 for students unable to meet immediate, essential needs.

• The University of Michigan’s TRAILS program has compiled this guide to supporting kids’ wellness at home during the outbreak.

• The Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s literacy coordinator has compiled this guide to literacy and other online educational resources.

 

Employment/unemployment

 

• The Arts Alliance has established the Creative Washtenaw Aid 2020 fund to collect donations and extend assistance to the artists and creative organizations adversely impacted by COVID-19.

• The Bartender Emergency Assistance Program offers financial assistance for bartenders and their families who are facing emergency hardship, but applications for COVID-19-related situations are currently suspended.

• The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has prepared this guide to COVID-19-related unemployment questions.

• This Facebook group provides support for Ann Arbor area service industry workers.
• If you lost health insurance as a result of the pandemic, you can contact the Washtenaw Health Plan here for help.
• Looking for your federal stimulus check? The University of Michigan has created this helpful guide to explain how to make sure you get it.
• Michigan Works! Southeast facilities are closed, but the organization’s services for employers and job seekers are still available via phone appointment. More information is available here.

 

Food and home goods assistance

 

• Food Gatherers has a list and a map of food available to the public throughout Washtenaw County.

• The Humane Society of Huron Valley offers an emergency pet food assistance program.

• The Mutual Aid Network of Ypsilanti’s “Pass it On” program collects and redistributes home goods and cleaning products for free through several local organizations.

• See “School lunches” below for school lunch distribution information.

 

Housing assistance

 

• Updates on eviction moratoriums and other housing issues are available here.

• M.I.S.S.I.O.N. offers a variety of resources for homeless residents.

• Help for those facing a housing emergency is available here.

 

How to support local business

 

• Destination Ann Arbor has prepared a list of county business offering takeout and a guide to how to support local businesses during the outbreak.

 

Nonprofit assistance

 

• The United Way of Washtenaw County’s COVID-19 Relief Fund is raising money and offering grants to support nonprofits who are working to meet vulnerable populations’ needs as a result of the pandemic.

 

School lunches

 

• Ann Arbor Public Schools’ food distribution plan is available here.

• Chelsea School District’s food distribution plan is available here.

• Dexter Community Schools’ food distribution plan is available here.

• Lincoln Consolidated Schools’ food distribution plan is available here.

• Milan Area Schools’ food distribution plan is available here.

• Saline Area Schools’ food distribution plan is available here.

• Ypsilanti Community Schools’ food distribution plan is available here.

 

Transit

 

• Up-to-date info on the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority’s service and policies is available here.