Our response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic access to supplies and items to keep our rural communities safe was more difficult than usual. We were grateful to all the governmental and tribal service organizations worked hard to provide medical and food supplies for those communities in need.
We at Changing Woman Initiative created a COVID-19 Emergency Response Team that was prepared to obtain essential items for families that may have not been included during this crisis.
In the event our COVID-19 Response Team is engaged in the future, the following information will be helpful to know:
- If you live in northern New Mexico and are in need of these essential items, please complete the survey (link will be available when needed).
- We have ideas on what may be needed for inclusion in care packages, but we need your feedback.
- We cannot guarantee availability of your requests, but we will try our best.
- We understand there may be limitations to package delivery and receiving mail in some very rural areas. We will do what we can to coordinate with local/tribal officials and support our families as much as possible during this time.
The beginning of our donation journey
When the pandemic hit, we received a number of requests from families in Northern New Mexico asking for help with access to diapers, wipes, formula, breast pumps, etc. As a result, an Amazon wish list was created and supplies were periodically dropped off to many locations. Now we are working on a larger project – helped with submissions through the Rural Family Needs Survey – to help more families.
While we are in the planning stages for a larger effort, please fill out the survey so we can begin coordinating your needs. Thank you
Gallup IHS, AZ
The first delivery to Gallup IHS Maternity Unit and Pediatric clinic donations were delivered on May 1, 2020 thanks to those who contributed on our Amazon Wish list. The need for supplies became so great, breast pumps and newborn diapers were added.
Crownpoint, NM
Becki Jones, trained Indigenous doula and education planner with Planned Parenthood taking much needed donations to Crownpoint, NM.
Round Rock, AZ
The last bit of our donations are going out to Round Rock, AZ on the Navajo Nation. Thank you to all who have been donating these baby items to support these Native families in need.