COVID-19 Community Response

Virtual Neighborhood Leadership Gathering

"Survival Tips in Times of Stress”

Thursday, Feb. 25, 6:30-8 p.m.

Event flyer

Zoom Meeting

RSVP to 425-452-6836 or neighborhoodoutreach@bellevuewa.gov.

As we move into 2021 with hope, 2020 will be remembered as a year that demanded new skills in adaptability and resilience. For the year ahead, these skills will also shape how we bring out the best in people and create stronger and healthier neighborhoods and communities. Join renowned speaker, trainer and consultant, Robin Rose as she leads this workshop focused on how to stay calm, centered, effective and more resilient — especially during high-stress times.

Robin brings 30 years of experience exploring the frontiers of leadership and neuroscience. She has unconditional regard for human beings and the stress that they can encounter. With a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, Robin teaches a rare and scientific approach that teaches people how their brain works, so that they can think, act and communicate at their highest proficiency.

Whether it is stress in the workplace, managing remote learning for children, adapting to a virtual world or maintaining human connections, Robin will help us to understand our emotional responses and to manage through stress to be our best selves. This evening will educate, entertain and motivate, and participants will come away with practical tools to use right away.

In addition to Robin’s keynote message, participants will interact in small breakout rooms where they are encouraged to learn from one another and share stories of resilience.

In order to receive the Zoom event link, please RSVP to 425-452-6836 or neighborhoodoutreach@bellevuewa.gov.

Bellevue Mini City Hall launches a new program called Covid Resource Navigator to help residents locate needed resources during the pandemic. The resource navigators are highly experienced in navigating different systems and knowledgeable about different organizations that provide help during these difficult times.

As the COVID19 pandemic continues to impact the Bellevue community, we also human service needs increase. For many who are not familiar with the resources available to them, or those who had never needed financial and other assistance before the pandemic, it can be overwhelming to navigate through all the complex government resources and application processes. The COVID19 Resource Navigator will serve as your personal assistant and help you make sense of all the programs and community resources.

Here are just some of the information and referral topics the COVID19 Resource Navigator program can help you with:

• Food assistance programs
• Small business loans
• Unemployment claims
• Housing or rent assistance programs
• Healthcare resources and Covid testing sites
• Immigration issues and legal referrals

What you can expect when you call the COVID19 Resource Navigator Program:

• A live person who will listen to you
• Someone who is patient, empathic to your situation and concerns
• Research your questions, and customize resources that are the best fit for your situation
• Connect you to the best resources that can help solve your problems

The COVID19 Resource Navigator Program is free, confidential and available by appointments only on weekdays Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and on weekend Saturday 10am-4pm. A typical appointment is 30 minutes and follow-up appointments may be longer depending on needs. Appointments are available in English, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, Somali and many other foreign languages. Call 425-452-2800 or email minich@bellevuewa.gov to get started!

The Sophia Way (homeless shelter for women) is serving 100 women for both lunch and dinner. Sophia Way will be resuming the meal donation program (from May 5, 2020) based on the latest guidelines from the CDC. The shelter is looking for volunteers to provide in May on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Please note:

• We are now serving 100 women for both lunch and dinner. We understand that it may be challenging for you to cook for such a large number, so we have broken up the number of meals into smaller quantities.
• You may choose to donate a meal for 100 women or for a small number. If you choose to cook a smaller number, please prepare a complete meal (main hot dish, side dish, dessert, etc.) for that number of people. This will help us ensure that all women receive a full meal.
• We will only serve home-prepared meals that are cooked and hot. If you would like to provide a cold side dish, such as a salad it needs to be store bought (packaged and unopened).

To support Sophia's Way as a volunteer, go to https://sophiaway.org/nourish/

If you have any questions, please email Megan Duncan at meals@sophiaway.org

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on individuals, organizations and businesses in Bellevue and our region, yet we are continually uplifted by the generosity, innovation and supportive spirit of our community. These actions––both big and small––should be shared and celebrated. Help us highlight the Best of Bellevue by adding others who are stepping up to the challenge in this time of need. You can add more inspiring actions using the Stories of Encouragement tab.

#BestofBellevue

SUPPORTING OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Some of our larger businesses have the ability and technology tools to assist smaller businesses that have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. We are heartened to see the peer support in our business community. This support shows an important recognition that a diverse business community is critical to the resiliency of our entire community.

Amazon

Amazon has established a Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund, which will provide assistance for small businesses with a physical presence near Amazon's buildings in South Lake Union and/or downtown Bellevue. Amazon has more than 2,000 employees in Bellevue.

Facebook

Facebook has established a Small Business Grants Program to assist businesses in addressing the impacts of COVID-19, and is actively pushing information to local businesses through its push-notification system. Facebook recently joined the Bellevue community with offices downtown, and will be moving into a new office in the Spring District soon.

Microsoft

Microsoft has taken a comprehensive approach to its COVID-19 response. In addition to efforts to support its employees and contractors, it has contributed $1 million to the regional COVID-19 response effort led by the Seattle Foundation. Microsoft has more than 8,500 employees in Bellevue.

Symetra

Symetra’s Care and Feeding Program partners with locally owned restaurants to make and deliver 10,000 meals to homeless shelters and hospitals. Symetra Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services company based in downtown Bellevue.

Puget Sound Energy

Bellevue based Puget Sound Energy is making $11 million in funds available to help who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through its Crisis-Affected Customer Assistance Program (CACAP).

Republic Services

Republic Services launched “Committed to Serve” a $20 Million Initiative to recognize their 28,000 frontline employees in the field who are serving customers every day, while also helping to support small business customers and communities across the nation. Republic Services provides gift cards and meals to employees and their families that are purchased from local, small businesses. Additionally, Republic Services is donating $3 million to their charitable foundation to fund long-term nonprofit partners that are working to rebuild, revitalize and restore the places where we live and work.

Salesforce

Salesforce has established a $5 million small business grant fund. The Salesforce Care Small Business Grant program offers $10,000 grants to U.S. small businesses to provide capital to help them weather the COVID-19 crisis. The Washington State application period opens April 27 and closes May 4. Learn more. Salesforce has a large office presence in Bellevue.

Verizon

Verizon has pledged $2.5 million to Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a non-profit that will use Verizon funding to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19. Verizon will unlock an additional $2.5 million as viewers use the hashtag #PayItForwardLIVE and tag their local businesses, bringing the total donation up to $5 million. Verizon’s regional headquarters is located in Bellevue.

Zeacon

Zeacon, a Bellevue based app company that provides unique event and experiences has pivoted their business model to support local businesses with the Creation of Zeacon Boxes. Zeacon Boxes provide a safe and innovative way for individuals to continue supporting their favorite businesses without leaving home. Each box is hand-curated in partnership with businesses in the Greater Seattle Area. Boxes include culinary experiences, hands-on art projects, innovative indoor fun, and more.

PROTECTING OUR HEALTHCARE HEROES

Many local organizations and companies are assisting our local first responders, healthcare workers, and front-line employees. We are thrilled by the diversity and creativity demonstrated in these companies’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sturtevant’s Sports

Sturtevant’s Bellevue store is a drop off location for the “Goggles for Docs” program. Goggles for Docs is an effort to get used or new ski goggles into the hands of healthcare workers who currently have no eye protection as they treat COVID-19 patients. All gear should be wiped down and placed into a sealed Ziploc bag and placed in the drop-off bin at the Bellevue Sturtevant’s location at 13131 NE 20th Street.

Global Innovation Exchange (GIX)

To provide immediate relief for the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the UW Medicine hospital system, the Global Innovation Exchange is producing low-cost, reusable face shields at the GIX Makerspace. This facility has the capacity to produce at least 40 face shields per day. The GIX team is also testing production of a facemask and will eventually prototype and produce gowns, aerosol boxes, and ventilator valves. GIX is located in Bellevue’s Spring District and is a partnership between the University of Washington and China’s Tsinghua University.

Eddie Bauer

Outdoor outfitter Eddie Bauer is producing and donating at least 20,000 surgical and N95 masks to local healthcare facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Eddie Bauer’s headquarters is in downtown Bellevue.

Glassybaby - Donations to hospital worker relief efforts

Glassybaby was founded with giving in mind. Starting on April 15, 2020 $10 from every glassybaby purchased will be donated to the white light fund and support hospital worker relief efforts and food banks supporting our communities. Glassybaby has a store on Main Street in Downtown Bellevue.

REI Co-op

REI has granted $100,000 to the 100 Million Mask Challenge. The 100 Million Mask Challenge is a nationwide effort to produce and deliver much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) on a large scale for our health care heroes. REI headquarters is moving to Bellevue in 2020.

COFFEE FOR A CAUSE

Many local coffee shops remain open for takeout and delivery, and many roasters are offering online whole-bean coffee orders. Here are some that are going the extra mile with special blends and free coffee for healthcare workers.

Café Cesura

Café Cesura is producing a “Bellevue Relief Blend” that can be purchased for donation to Congregations for the Homeless, which operates the Eastside Men’s Shelter. Additionally, Café Cesura has now sells products from displaced farmers’ market vendors, such as flowers and Bow Hill blueberry juice. Café Cesura is located on Old Main in downtown Bellevue.

The Waffler

The Waffler is offering free coffee for healthcare works and first responders. The Waffler is located in the Lake Hills neighborhood.

Woods Coffee

Woods Coffee is accepting donations to deliver coffee to healthcare workers through its “Coffee for Caregivers” Fund. Woods Coffee has two locations in Bellevue, including in the Wilburton neighborhood.

Bellden Café – Be a Hero

In addition to your coffee, toast and bowls, now through Bellden Café’s online ordering you can select to Be a Hero and donate to Support COVID-19 Frontline Workers and buy flowers from displaced farmer market vendors. Bellden Cafe has donated 600 PPE masks with coffee, cookies and a cash donation to Overlake Medical Center. Bellden Café is located on Main Street in Downtown Bellevue.

Dote Coffee Bar

Dote Coffee Bar located in Lincoln Square has started Project Dote to provide coffee and brownies to the essential workers who are working hard to keep us safe including at Overlake Hospital and Bellevue City Hall Police and Fire.

FOOD FOR GOOD

Many restaurants and cafés remain open for takeout and delivery through the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are supporting our local community in myriad ways.

Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Washington State - Food with Love

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Washington State (CCCWA) and local restaurants have teamed up to help Frontline Workers Fight COVID-19. The Food with Love campaign aims to raise $400,000 to produce 30,000 lunches for medical staff, community first respondents and community members in need of assistance. So far 7,195 lunches have been provided to frontline workers including staff at Overlake Medical Center and the Bellevue Police Department. Participating Bellevue restaurants include; The Dolar Shop, Asian Family Market, Frying Fish and Liuyishou Hot Pot. CCCWA is headquartered in Bellevue.

RestaurantsforResponders.org

Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club launched RestaurantsforResponders.org, a program designed to provide immediate support to our community's healthcare workers, local restaurants, and employees. The program will purchase meals from local restaurants and provide them to overworked local responders and healthcare workers, getting food to essential workers and financial support to local restaurants. The Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club has committed to donating up to $30,000 to kick off its RestaurantsforResponders.org program by matching your tax-deductible donations dollar-for-dollar.

Trophy Cupcakes

Trophy Cupcakes is spreading joy with their Pay It Forward campaign. The program allows you to purchase cupcakes for Trophy to deliver directly to a non-profit partner! Trophy is located in the Bravern in downtown Bellevue.

Bellevue Collection

Every time you order take-out from a Bellevue Collection restaurant now through April 24, The Bellevue Collection will donate two meals to Bellevue LifeSpring's emergency response program, which feeds children in our community.

Central Bar and Restaurant

Central Bar and Restaurant has created a way to help your favorite organization, healthcare workers, or families in need. Donate at least eight meals off the Central Bar and Restaurant main menu (for lunch or dinner) and Central will donate two additional meals for free and will deliver on your behalf. Central Bar and Restaurant is located in Lincoln Square in downtown Bellevue.

Washington Food Truck Association - Partnership with Nourishing Networks

The Washington State Food Truck Association has partnered with Nourishing Networks, to provide a voucher meal food truck program. Printed meal vouchers are distributed to local non-profits, or to individuals and families in need of food support.

Chace's Pancake Corral

Chace's Pancake Corral has been busy packing and delivering lunches to Overlake Hospital Caregivers.

COMMUNITY CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS

While local museums and libraries are closed due to social distancing guidelines, they continue to provide educational and enriching content for local kids, plus great online resources for adults.

KidsQuest Children's Museum

KidsQuest Children's Museum has launched a YouTube channel called HomeQuest. The channel allows staff to provide virtual Story Time, plus early- and school-age learning videos focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts for children age 0-10. A new video drops each weekday. Subscribe to get the latest Story Time and HomeQuest videos delivered to your inbox. KidsQuest is located in downtown Bellevue.

Bellevue Arts Museum

Bellevue Arts Museum is delivering take-home craft activity kits to the Bellevue School District’s Grab and Go Meal and Childcare Program sites. The kits include instructions and materials for little artists to make their own jolly jellyfish hat. Additional tutorials for creating masterpieces using common household items can be found through @BellevueArts on Instagram Bellevue Arts Museum is located in downtown Bellevue.

The COVID-19 crisis has caused many individuals and families to struggle to meet basic living needs – including our elderly homebound neighbors, people who struggle with health issues or have lost their jobs, families with children who rely on schools for meals. It’s also wiping out our local food bank resources.

For everyone who has resources to share, here’s a few ways you can step in to help fill this critical need:

• Donate to Hopelink food banks
• Drop off items at the 4-hour Food Drive Event - Saturday, April 18, 12-4pm at the Kirkland Hopelink at 11011 120th Ave NE. Food donations will support other local Hopelink food banks, including Bellevue. *Specific items accepted only.
• Food item donations through Hopelink’s Amazon wish list
• Monetary donations – designate to food assistance or other
• Know a home-bound neighbor who can use help? Fill food boxes with recommended essentials. Arrange a drop off in a location that allows for proper social distancing.
• Donate to the Renewal Food Bank serving our local Bellevue residents.
• Donate to the Washington Food Fund - three Washington-based organizations working on the frontlines of food insecurity — Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest and Second Harvest. These organizations will use these funds to distribute food to hundreds of food banks across the state from our cities to our most rural communities.

Do you know other organizations or individuals on the front lines meeting our community’s needs? Share them in the “stories” tab so we can inspire and encourage one another. We’re in this together and we will get through this together.