Update from United Way CEO on Coordination of Homelessness Services During COVID-19

Columbia, S.C. (March 18, 2020) – From Sara Fawcett, President & CEO of United Way of the Midlands:

“At United Way, we work closely with our community partners and local governments every day to address the housing and service needs of people experiencing homelessness. During these extraordinary times, providing help for our most vulnerable is not only the compassionate action but now the necessary action to protect public health since people experiencing homelessness do not have a home to self-isolate for quarantine. 

Over the past two weeks, we began convening partners to discuss the needs of homeless individuals and families with children and to stress the importance of enhanced sanitation practices. These conversations have expanded to include SCDHEC, our hospitals and emergency management professionals. We are proud of SCDHEC’s leadership in their commitment to provide isolation and care for those in our homeless community who test positive for COVID-19 or those with exposure.

We are in daily conversations with our community partners to identify gaps, meet emerging needs, expand capacity wherever possible and to secure resources to support these efforts.

We also want to thank our state agencies like DHEC and SCEMD that work hard every day to protect South Carolinians, especially in these difficult times, as well as our state and local lawmakers for their efforts to quickly address the issue of homelessness and meet the needs with resources for South Carolina’s most vulnerable populations.”

For the latest updates, visit www.uway.org.  

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About United Way of the Midlands
United Way of the Midlands is the most collaborative, efficient and accountable model for investing in the improvement of the Midlands community. With nearly 70 Community Impact Partners, United Way works to identify and respond to the critical human service needs of Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland counties. Funds are raised through workplace campaigns, grant writing and individual donations and are directed to fight for causes including childhood literacy, economic mobility and dental and eye care for those without resources. For more information, please visit www.uway.org.