Community spirit is a remarkable force, especially in this time of challenge and, for some, extreme hardship. I'm writing to you with an update, and a request for your support.
The pandemic has left many people vulnerable and in need. Many CLAM renters have experienced a dramatic loss of income, had their jobs cut back or eliminated, and don't know when or if they will be able to return to work at full pay. Trying to stretch an already very thin wallet to cover the basic necessities of life is causing stress, uncertainty and fear. Since the beginning of this crisis, CLAM and our West Marin nonprofit partners, foundations, and the County have been working to offer a safety net for residents. With a new reality that is changing frequently, it’s possible that CLAM residents may need assistance long into the future.
A burst of spontaneous generosity from our community has seeded a new emergency fund at CLAM, the CLAM Resilience Fund. Its purpose is to provide rental and other emergency assistance to CLAM renters, and support our staff’s ability to respond quickly to emerging needs. It will also help us coordinate with our nonprofit partners to work toward solutions for the broader community going forward.
The CLAM Resilience Fund was launched in April with a $1,000 gift from a local donor and a grant of $10,000 from the West Marin Fund. Our goal is to raise $40,000 by the end of June. A few days ago, another local donor made a generous pledge of $10,000, bringing us more than halfway to the goal. Your contribution will help close the gap of $19,000 remaining.
Please consider making a contribution to the CLAM Resilience fund, and join us in helping to keep our community strong and stable during this tenuous time.
In gratitude,
Kim Thompson
Executive Director
How is the coronavirus affecting West Marin?
For some insights as to how the pandemic is affecting the already limited availability of affordable homes in West Marin, please see Ruth Lopez's op-ed in the Point Reyes Light today. Ruth is Program Manager at CLAM. Here's an excerpt:
"... Inequities that existed before are now amplified with the Covid-19 crisis. The hammer has fallen hardest on our workers in restaurant, retail, tourism and recreation jobs. The pandemic is revealing West Marin’s economic fragility. Reliance on these low-wage jobs has left many families with little financial cushion and sent housing and community service organizations scrambling to secure emergency rental assistance and other safety-net services. ..."
Thank you to these businesses for their support of affordable homes in our community!
