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Virtual Townhall focuses African American community

By Tricia Hall

Sojourner's Truth Reporter

 

The Coronavirus has disrupted the lives of Americans since the first case was reported. The Lucas County Health Department has confirmed 1029 cases and confirmed 65 deaths linked to COVID-19 as of Friday, April 24.  In order to address concerns of the African-American community, the Toledo Lucas County Health Department hosted a virtual town hall meeting moderated by Doni Miller, CEO/president of Neighborhood Health Association

Doni Miller, CEO/president of Neighborhood Health Association

 

The topics of the 90-minute townhall meeting included unemployment, financial services, job training and housing. The panelists provided up-to-date statistics, specific responses to related questions and contact information.

 

Panelists included: Tonia Saunders, Workforce Development for Lucas County director; Kathy Tucker, Northwest Ohio Homeownership Development Agency executive director; Shaulonda Jones, Local Initiatives Support Corporation program assistant; Kimberly Hall, Lucas County Job and Family Services director; and Aisha Sleiman, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality staff attorney. Audience attendees were invited to submit questions throughout the meeting by using the Facebook Live chat feature.

 

“Tonight, we are talking about the economic impact of COVID on our community. It was just 12 short weeks ago that the US economic picture was bright and unemployment at a 50-year low. When that virus hit the country, our world changed,” explained Doni Miller.

 

We’re aware that we still have eligible Ohioans who are waiting to receive their benefits, but the system has been overwhelmed by the number of claims. I won’t rest until everyone who qualifies, receives unemployment benefits,” explained Hall.

 

Lucas County Job and Family Services statistics, as of April 18, 2020

·         Over 100,000 jobless claims were filed,

·         Almost one million total claims since mid-March,

·         Over $900 million paid to over 300,000 Ohioans.

·         Claims processed so far, exceeds number of claims processed in past two years.

·         March claims: 79 percent Caucasian, 11.5 percent African Americans, 5 percent Hispanic, and 4.5 percent other,

·         Benefit claims are retroactive, 1099 and part-time employees are also eligible.

 

“There are barriers like transportation, daycare, background checks and drug screening issues that impact employment. I encourage job seekers to take advantage of this time and address those barriers. Our office is open, and we can assist you. Take this time to understand what your stimulus dollars can be used for and think about the job market. Once the closed businesses reopen, it will be a competitive job market. Ohio has 14 percent unemployment right now,” explained Tonia Saunders.

 

Services offered by OhioMeansJobs.

·         Online job assessments,

·         Online GED classes offered by Owens Community College,

·         On-on-one resume assistance, application assistance or mock interviews via conference call or Skype,

 

“We specialize in helping people navigate the home buying process. When this pandemic happened, we had to deal with two critical factors: consistent employment and additional guidelines have become stricter. We have clients who were pre-approved before COVID but may no longer qualify because of new guidelines for the next 90 days. We have to realize that banks are taking on a lot of risk right now, but those changes impact the clients that we serve,” explained Tucker.

 

“We have seen more clients that need assistance with unemployment, navigating budgets due to income changes, and how to access other resources that they qualify for now. The Finance Opportunity Center is here for the community and offers free services. You will always work with the same coach. So, don’t be embarrassed, you paid into this system and why not utilize the assistance,” said Jones.

 

FOC locations:

·         Lutheran Social Services, 419-243-9173

·         Pathway, 419-242-7304

·         NeighborWorks, 419-691-2900

·         ProMedica, 567-585-0059

 

“We need to start building a movement, this is a really unique time. In crisis we can create great policies. This is the time that we can all work together to push for actual programs that work, like a rental assistance and eviction type moratorium. Housing court hearings will start up after May 30t, and your landlord doesn’t have to work with you but consider talking to your landlord,” said Sleiman.

 

Contact information:

·         NOHDA, 419-243-3734, Bderden@nohda.org

·         Ohio Department Job and Family Services, unemployment.ohio.gov, 1-877-644-6562

·         ABLE, LegalAidLine.org, 419-724-0460

 

The series will feature a new weekly topic from now until May 28t. Moderators include Charles Mack, Will Lucas, Doni Miller and Wendi Huntley. “The purpose of this series is to educate and provide resources. Black Americans are taking a disproportionate hit economically and physically from the pandemic,” said Catherine Crosby, City of Toledo chief of staff.

 
 

 

   
   


Copyright © 2019 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 04/30/20 22:08:52 -0400.


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