Support the DC Mask Protection Initiative

via GoFundMe

From an email:

“Like many in the DC community, we are concerned about the health of our essential workers and at-risk populations due to the spread of COVID-19. We also recognize that this is a challenging time for local businesses that are under pressure due to the stay-at-home order. So, in an effort to get quality, cloth face masks at no cost to local hospitals, community organizations, and other locations where they are needed most, while also channeling needed capital into the local economy, we are engaging stewards and community leaders within the DC business community to supply this critical demand.

How does the DC Mask Protection Model work?

1.We are working closely with garment alteration/dry-cleaning shops in DC to pivot and start making quality face-masks to agreed upon specifications. They already have the essential equipment in place and the personnel that can sew professionally!

2. We have launched a GoFundMe site to collect donations. These donations will be used to purchase cloth face masks at a fair price from local businesses. Helping the local economy!

3.We have and continue to canvass the local DC community to identify community organizations, non-governmental organizations, and public and private sector entities that need masks and can distribute them to the essential workers and at-risk populations they serve. There is a high unmet demand city-wide!

4. Our first order is set to be distributed to St. Elizabeth’s hospital in SE. Curbing the spread of COVID-19 at no cost to vulnerable groups!

5. We are also looking into partnering with institutions that can provide funding for this initiative, recognizing that the demand for masks may continue into Summer 2020.

Our first order of quality cloth face masks, which is set to be delivered to St. Elizabeth’s hospital in SE, is currently being filled. To produce the masks we are working with Tienda Santa Rosa de Lima in Adams Morgan (a garment alteration shop), a business run by three generations of El Salvadorian women. The purchase of these masks form Tienda Santa Rosa is providing much needed resources to their business that has been struggling since the stay-at-home order was put in place. So far, we’ve raised nearly $500 (in the last two days) to cover a part of these costs, recognizing that our immediate networks are quite limited. This is why we were hoping to perhaps appear or get promoted on a popular DC media outlet, to increase our reach.”