HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-21 Public Comment - T. Goebel - ARPAFrom:Tia Goebel
To:Agenda
Subject:[SUSPECTED SPAM] Public comment on $ from Biden"s Rescue Plan
Date:Wednesday, June 9, 2021 10:15:32 AM
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To those it may concern -
My name is Tia Goebel and live at 1140 N Pinecrest Dr in Bozeman MT, 59715. I'm writing
you today to advocate that the $6 million dollars Bozeman is receiving from Biden's RescuePlan go to support urgent, basic needs for individuals in our community.
I work as the Community Engagement Coordinator with Greater Gallatin United Way.
Together with GGUW, the One Valley Community Foundation, and the SWMT COAD
(Community Organizations Active in Disaster), I have helped oversee the allocation of over$750,000 in COVID-19 Response grants to nonprofits across 4 counties: Gallatin, Madison,
Meagher and Park.
In our most recent grant making cycle, which just wrapped up this afternoon, we were able toallocate over $128,000 to about 22 organizations. But this was an extremely difficult and heart
wrenching process because the CURRENT and CLEARLY expressed need from our nonprofitcommunity is well over $750,000 (that we know of).
In the past two weeks alone, we have reviewed over 49 applications from organizations
drastically and negatively impacted by COVID-19. We put the $128k of privately raiseddollars to the best use we could, but as you can see, the needs far outmatch the dollar amount
at our disposal. These organizations and the thousands of individuals they serve need our helpmeeting their basic needs. Please invest in these organizations that work on-the-ground with
the most vulnerable in our community.
Based on the 6 million at your disposal, you could meet ALL of these needs and still havemillions leftover.
Needs include -
Auto and home repairsRent and utility assistance
Access to mental health care & crisis responseSuicide intervention
Child care scholarships and supportSummer youth programs
Grocery and gas cardsDiapers and baby food
FirewoodPPE
Staff burnout prevention, stress reduction, and mental/behavioral health supports Access to health care
Technology reimbursements and upgrades
Please prioritize these needs. By supporting organizations and individuals, we can trulyrecover. These are our community's most urgent needs. We already have all the information
from the grant applications and could assist in making those decisions or in others ways helpdirect resources to help address the clear and urgent requests.
Thank you for your consideration,
Tia Goebel