The PHL COVID-19 Fund, a partnership between the Philadelphia Foundation and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and the City of Philadelphia has awarded Better Tomorrows $50,000 to support agency activities to address emergency needs of residents of affordable housing communities in Philadelphia and South Jersey as a result of COVID-19.  The awarded funds will be used to support senior and vulnerable residents by enabling Better Tomorrows to supply items that are in short supply including food and other essential items. Support will also be used to increase families’ capacity to engage in virtual activities and access online services by providing them with new or discounted refurbished laptops.

As a part of its national footprint serving more than 25,000 low-income youth, adults, and seniors in over 120 affordable housing communities, Better Tomorrows provides case management services and impactful community programming throughout the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey region.  Approximately 10,000 low-income people including children, young people, families, seniors and vulnerable adults are engaged in Better Tomorrows’ services at 21 affordable housing communities in Philadelphia and 15 affordable communities in South Jersey. The staff, branded essential during COVID-19, have offices located within the housing development and have remained on the premises whenever possible.

COVID-19 is presenting challenges being faced by many residents who are older, have health issues, have limited contact with family and/or have been laid off and are struggling to make ends meet. As with most disasters, this pandemic has the greatest impact on the most vulnerable throughout our society. The residents who live in these affordable housing communities are no exception.

President and CEO of Better Tomorrows, Howard Tucker, recognizes and appreciates the impact the funding will have on the organization’s work.  “The COVID-19 pandemic threw a monkey wrench into our normal way of work and disrupted the lives of the residents we serve in profound ways. We had to regroup and figure out how to do our best work in new and creative ways. Better Tomorrows would like to say ‘Thank you’ to all of the contributors for their support at this time. The financial assistance will significantly impact our ability to help our residents meet the very real challenges they are now forced to confront,” says Tucker

About Better Tomorrows:

Better Tomorrows is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The multi-service organization currently supports more than 25,000 low-income youth, adults, and seniors in over 120 affordable housing communities across the country. The organization provides case management services and impactful community programming to low-income adults, seniors, children, and youth.  The staff have offices located within the affordable housing developments, allowing for direct access to the populations served. Better Tomorrows’ mission is to mobilize resources to magnify opportunities for individual, community and generational transformation.  For more information about Better Tomorrows, visit the website at www.bettertomorrows.org.

About the PHL COVID-19 Fund:

The PHL COVID-19 Fund provides grants to nonprofits throughout the Greater Philadelphia region that have a demonstrated track record of serving those most at-risk during this crisis, such as seniors, people with disabilities, and those who are experiencing homeless or who are economically disadvantaged. Grants will be used to continue community safety nets including food pantries and health services; help with preparedness and protection needs such as hygiene supplies; and ensure access to accurate, up-to-date information and available services. For more information about the PHL COVID-19 Fund, visit https://phlcovid19fund.org/covid-19/.

 About Philadelphia Foundation:

Founded in 1918, Philadelphia Foundation strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. Philadelphia Foundation grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation manages more than 1,000 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more, visit philafound.org.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey:

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania’s Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey’s Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people’s lives. United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. In Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, United Way fights for youth success and family stability because we LIVE UNITED against intergenerational poverty. For more information about United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey visit www.UnitedForImpact.org.