DIY Masks for Area Hospitals

SMAH-Atlanta is looking for volunteer makers to donate time, resources, and support for our healthcare workers!

They are recruiting the following types of volunteers and donations:

• Sewists to Make Masks

• Kit Distribution Locations for Pick-up and Drop-off

• Kit Captains to accept material donations and assemble kits for mask makers.

• Drivers to pick up and drop off donated supplies, kits, and completed masks.

• Materials Donations

• Facility Mask Donation Contacts

This movement is protected under Good Samaritan Laws. You are not liable for end use of the masks if you are volunteering to sew, however we recommend you make the best version of the mask you can. Check out their approved patterns here: https://tinyurl.com/pattern1pagerSMAH

Foster a Pet

Foster homes provide temporary care for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies in their own homes, perfect for those who want to volunteer but may not be able to make it to the shelter regularly.

Some animals need as little as two weeks of care, while others may need care for up to three months. Fostering is flexible enough for most lifestyles, and we will do our best to custom-match the animals to each foster home. By offering your time, energy and home to an animal in need, you prepare the animal for adoption into a permanent home as well as help prevent overcrowding in our shelter. 

Cycle Responsibly with ABC

For the next six weeks, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition will be offering a 6-lesson course. ONLINE! 

Whether you are riding our city streets out of necessity to get to work, to the pharmacy, to the grocery store, or to an appointment or you are wanting to just get out and move your body, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is here for you.

In each lesson, you will brush up on all the skills needed to safely ride in Atlanta’s streets with a focus on how to make an essential trip while social distancing. You will:

• Learn where to get a bike or your bike repaired

• Learn how to do an ABC-Q check to make sure you're bike is ready to go

• Fit your helmet

• Plan a route to your workplace, a grocery store, the pharmacy, or another essential business.

• Discuss signaling and other timely communication strategies

• Know how to safely take the lane

All interactive, virtual classes are 'live' on Wednesdays between 5:30 and 6:10. You will get a follow-up communication before each class on how to engage online. 

Help Childcare Providers Access Loans/Grants

Quality Care for Children (QCC) is recruiting volunteers to help child care providers access SBA loans/grants that are a part of the federal government’s CARES Act.

Child care is composed primarily of small mom and pop businesses and nonprofits. Like other small businesses, they are at risk of closing and never reopening. When the crisis is over and everyone is ready to return to work, many families may struggle to find care. Many small child care programs will not survive without some help.

There are many excellent child care programs led by incredible individuals who are experts in early education, but have little experience completing loan and grant applications. That’s where you come in!

How you can help:

• Talk through their choices and help determine if they are eligible to apply

• Assist them in completing the applications

• Double-check that everything is correct and they have all the required documentation

• Reassure them that they are doing everything correctly

They will offer a train-the-trainer session to educate volunteers about the SBA program and prepare you to provide this support. QCC will connect you with a provider in need of assistance and you and the provider can schedule a phone meeting at a mutually agreeable time. Volunteers should expect to dedicate between a half-hour to two hours of phone assistance.

Can you help support our network of child care providers during this uniquely challenging time? Interested parties should contact ariel.santillan@qccga.org for next steps.