COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community members highlighted access to affordable, high-quality healthcare; mental health services and support; and caregiver support to be key areas of concern exacerbated by the pandemic.

Community members reiterated the difficulty of meeting in person, one-on-one with a trusted medical professional when medical needs arose, without health insurance and with long wait times. They spoke to the sense of grief and loss people felt and the trust gap between communities needing mental healthcare and professionals who may not share or understand their experiences.

Caregivers highlighted the difficulty of caring for both children in online school and family members more vulnerable to COVID-19 while also being employed in fields that had high risk of exposure.

People described several challenges, such as difficulties building credit and interest in credit repair; lack of information and support for homeownership; and a trust gap between many communities and traditional financial institutions and lenders. Lack of affordable housing presented barriers to renters and aspiring homeowners alike.

Community members had difficulties in meeting their basic needs due to unemployment, reduced hours, emergencies, and debt.

Many people also spoke to desiring better job security, and skill- or career-building opportunities tailored to their specific situations that could help them secure living-wage, meaningful careers with job ladder opportunities. These respondents pointed out that workers have often been left behind, and traditional upskilling programs fail to address the needs of older people, women, and those juggling work with supporting a family.