How AIM Is Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

AIM's Organizing Priorities

During this time of uncertainty and physical distancing, AIM is committed to facing these new challenges with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable communities in Montgomery County, and supporting AIM member institutions.

Together, we will—

• Continue to lead. We will use our collective power to protect those who are at the frontlines and at the margins, those who are medically vulnerable, losing income, and food and housing insecure.
• Collaborate with other IAF organizations and leaders to support schools and ministries in relating and connecting to people in a time of isolation and anxiety.
• Continue to act. In times of uncertainty, the ability to act on our power can be particularly grounding and meaningful. 

External

In the coming months, AIM's focus will continue to be organizing to increase equity in Montgomery County around issues such as housing, education, jobs, transportation, and immigration. However, in a time of significant job layoffs, when many cannot access food, and while there is a major global health crisis swirling around us, some of our specific campaigns in these areas may change. 

Here's a bit of what AIM has been working on in recent weeks:

• Launched two issue action teams (jobs and healthcare) that meet virtually to research how these issue areas are affecting residents during this time. Third team (education) is launching shortly.
• Launching social media campaign to encourage universal homemade mask wearing to protect residents of MoCo
• Working with county councilmembers to focus attention on most vulnerable residents
  • Cloth mask distribution in high-density, low-income neighborhoods 
  • Accessible pantry/market food distribution in high-density, low-income neighborhoods
  • Proposal to pilot community health workers program 
  • Health/safety guidance for safe navigation of grocery stores and other essential businesses
  • Transparency around sharing news of COVID-19 infections especially in places of work and in apartment buildings

Internal

Congregations, nonprofits, and similar institutions are vital to the health of families and communities and provide anchors during stormy times. It is more important now than ever that our member institutions be able to fulfill their callings to serve their communities. 

Here are examples of how AIM is doing that today:

• Launched county-wide phone tree and virtual relational meetings campaign across AIM member institutions to create and maintain strong base of community members who are mutually accountable to each other, and to connect people to services
• Held virtual countywide action team meeting, bringing together key leaders to strategize issue teams moving forward
• Invited institutional leaders to money/fundraising workshops with Metro IAF to support member institutions who may be struggling financially in this difficult time
• Distributed fundraising campaign template to AIM member institutions
• Equipping core teams with AIM organizing resources during this time, ie. relational phone calling script
• Preparing for workshop on how CARES Act could benefit AIM institutions

We will update these lists with how AIM is continuing to lead and act in Montgomery County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.