covid- 19 impact
A Test of the Last Hired, First Fired Phenomenal
The unprecedented public health crisis, and the negative impact on the economy has caused many community members to suffer severe financial difficulties.
The crisis will get worse before it gets better. Underneath the surface of the June report, there were signs that the recession is deepening. Crucially, the number of workers who have permanently lost their jobs rose quite a bit — signaling that for an increasing number of minorities, getting back to work won’t be an easy matter. Also, unemployment rate for white Americans continues to be much lower than the unemployment rate for Black, Hispanic or Asian Americans. That’s an important reminder that some workers are continuing to do much better than others as the recovery creaks into gear.
Struggle Accessing Benefits
Low-income and laid-off community members are struggling to access state benefits created for them.
At a time when many need urgent help to survive, GERA publicizes benefits set aside on their behalf, and help with the application process.
Schooling Virtually
The Covid-19 pandemic is revealing the breadth of education’s digital divide, separating those who have access to the internet from those who don’t. In this spring of makeshift virtual instruction, many low-income students from GERA community face challenges that go well beyond a lack of computers and connectivity.
School shutdowns have disconnected vulnerable students from a hub, a routine, and a face-to-face support system that helps them overcome barriers to college. Disruption isn’t just exposing inequities; it’s multiplying them, too.