CoVid-19 Resources

 YouthScoop is dedicated to connecting you to important Sonoma County resources in response to those impacted by COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Our focus is to identify resources specifically for youth ages 16 to 24 in Sonoma County but many resources apply to the general population. These resources are up-to-date as of May 2020. Have something to add? Questions? We’d love to try to help! Please submit questions and feedback on our contact page.

We currently have four main categories: Local, Foster Care Specific, College Student, and State & National Resources.

Local Resources

Health and Wellness

Virtual Groups

VOICES Youth Center- Multiple Groups/Meetings

Ages: 16-25 - Eligibility: Anyone 16-25 who is connected or wants to be connected to VOICES Address: Online Phone: 707-579-4327

What do they do:

Surviving Mommageddon

• Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00pm

• Calling all caregivers aged 16-25! Less Commiserate! Emergency meeting due to Coronavirus lockdown. For ALL caregivers (not just moms). Preserve your sanity and join us in your living room, Tuesdays 2:00-3:00pm. Hosted by Emma and Kayla. Anyone interested with any questions, please see the social media flyer by clicking on the site below.

WTF Group Online

• Wednesdays from 1:30pm-2:30pm

• Join Gene and Michelle (DBT skill experts) online to ask our usually weekly question of what made you say, "WTF" this week and how can we support, problem-solve, and process WTF situations. WTF is held on Wednesdays from 1:30pm-2:30pm. If you have additional questions, contact Gene, message us, email any staff, or call the center from 12-4pm Tuesday-Friday for support or help accessing the group. To join via Google Hangouts or by phone, please see VOICES’ social media accounts or message for direct links.

Verity Mindfulness and Meditation Group 

• Join us every Thursday at 4:30!

• The Verity Mindfulness and Meditation group is a safe space to relax, let go of stress, and connect with others. Partnering with Verity to provide mindfulness movement and breath-based practices to facilitate healing, managing stress and anxiety, gain strength, and cultivate resilience to heal from the inside out.

Distant But Not Alone Group (FML)

• Fridays from 1:00pm-2:00pm

• Lanai, Kayla and Gene are hosting a check-in, color, snack, or just be in each other’s company. To Join Zoom Meeting on Fridays from 1:00pm-2:00pm: Meeting ID: 999 9001 1584. Please see VOICES’ social media accounts or message for direct links and the password.

Website: VOICESyouthcenter.org and facebook.com/voicessonoma/

NAMI Sonoma County

Ages: 18+ Eligibility: All 18+ Address: Online Phone: 866-960-6264

The NAMI Wellness Chat & Check-In is a place for ANYONE to come together virtually to share how they are handling their wellness – the good, the bad, and the ugly – while practicing social distancing. The NAMI Wellness Chat & Check-In will be held every Wednesday at 12:00 PM and every Friday at 4:30 PM. The Family Support Group is from 2:00-3:30pm on Thursdays. The group is being run through Zoom. Call the Warmline (866-960-6264) or email info@namisoco.org to request your personal invitation.

Website: https://namisonomacounty.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/NAMIsoco/

Positive Images

Ages: 12-24 (20's and 30’s for the Adult Group meeting) Eligibility: Sonoma County's LGBTQIA+ community Address: Online

• Online video Zoom Hangouts for LGBTQ youth and young adults, Tuesday-Friday, 1-2pm.

• Art Jams, Wednesdays, 7-9pm

• Youth Support Group, Thursdays, 7-9pm

• Youth Leadership, Thursdays, 6-7pm, and Fridays, 5-6pm

Website: posimages.org and https://www.instagram.com/positive.images.sr

LGBTQ Connection

Ages: 14-24 typically, expanded to virtual all-ages events Eligibility: Napa, Sonoma and Solano’s LGBTQIA+ community Address: Online

LGBTQ Connection provides various online resources and groups to encourage social connections, healthy behaviors, and exploration of feelings during isolation. Virtual services include opportunities to distract in a fun space, live videos to learn new skills and meet the community, as well as free mental health counseling on Mondays. We work on a variety of platforms to engage youth, such as Facebook, Instagram, Zoom, and Google Hangouts. Current programming includes:

• Counseling on Mondays by appointment (email Jessie@LGBTQconnection.org to schedule)

• Youth Hangouts every Wednesday (various topics and various times, posted in advance on Facebook and Instagram)

• 1:1 check ins and more information by appointment (Contact Jessie at 595-8961 or Isamar at 273-1277)

• Fun, virtual all-ages events such as Pictionary, Meditation, and Coffee Making, varying week by week, posted in advance on Facebook and Instagram. (Their Facebook can be found by searching LGBTQ Connection Napa and/or LGBTQ Connection Sonoma. The Instagram handles are @LGBTQSonoma & @LGBTQNapa).

Website: fb.com/lgbtqsonoma/events, Insta: @LGBTQSonoma and www.lgbtqconnection.org

Emergency Housing

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Santa Rosa

Ages: Varies - Eligibility: Please contact them for up-to-date eligibility Address: Main: 985 Airway Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Phone: 707-528-8712

What do they do: Homeless shelters are still open, providing basic needs and housing assistance.

Website: srcharities.org

COTS

Ages: Varies - Eligibility: Varies per programs Address: Mary Isaak Center 900 Hopper Street in Petaluma | Laure Reichek Housing Hub: 575 W. College Avenue in Santa Rosa Phone: 707-765-6530

What do they do: Homeless shelters are still open with reduced beds to keep everyone safe. COTS Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-housing Programs provide resources, referrals and limited financial services to a) prevent homelessness and help keep someone permanently housed, and b) rapidly transition someone from homelessness to housing permanency. Contact them for additional information.

Website: COTS.org

SAY: Emergency Short Term Shelter

Ages served: 18-24 - Address: 2447 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 95405 - Phone: (707) 544-3299 - Eligibility: Youth facing homelessness

SAY offers short-term emergency shelter for former foster youth and young adults ages 18-24 who may be homeless. Our programs offer a free, safe place to live, case management, job & educational support, counseling referrals, and mentoring.

Website: SAY Short Term Shelter

SAY: Coffee House Teen Shelter

Ages Served: 12-17 Eligibility: Youth in crisis and family reunification services for runaway and homeless youth Address: 1243 Ripley Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 - Crisis Hotline: (888) 729-0012

The Dr. James E Coffee House Teen Shelter provides a respite for families in crisis and family reunification services for runaway and homeless youth and their families. We provide short-term shelter, food, counseling, and referrals for youth and their families. Services are available in English and Spanish.

Homeless Youth can drop-in for food, housing, shelter info, and supplies every day, 9am-9pm

Website: SAY Coffee House

TLC’s Transitional Housing Program (THP)

Ages Served: 18-24 Eligibility: Youth 18 to 24 experiencing or who are at imminent risk of homelessness Address: 821 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Phone Number: (707) 528-3020

THP is a coordinated entry site for Rapid Rehousing during the sheltering in place order. The THP Resource Center is closed except by appointment right now, but the drop in hours for coordinated entry are still Thursday 12-3pm. Their staff are there to meet with anyone who comes during these hours for coordinated entry. You just need to knock or ring the doorbell.

Website: tlc4kids.org/young-adult-housing

Rental Assistance

Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County (CAPS) – Funding

Season of Sharing Fund: Helps paying for rent and other critical needs for transitioning emancipated foster youth ages 18- 24 and those who’ve lost income due to the pandemic.

The HCA Family Fund is a one-time rental assistance program designed to prevent homelessness. The Fund is designed to assist individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with once in a lifetime assistance combined with financial coaching to empower the participant in creating a household budget, develop skills necessary to manage a household, and learn the importance of saving.

Website: 211.org or capsonoma.org

Career and Work Resources

Career Support

SAY’s Career HUB

Ages Served: 14-24 Eligibility: All youth in their age range Address: 2447 Summerfield Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Phone: 707-544-3304.

SAY is remaining open and available for Career Support.  We are also helping youth apply for unemployment, register for stimulus funds, and get jobs!  The SAY Career HUB open by appointment at the Dream Center by calling 707-544-3304.

·       Holly Jones, career services case manager, who is also co-located at VOICES is available at 707-559-8172

Website: www.saysc.org/programs/career-hub

Sonoma County JobLink

Ages Served: All, they do have a specific youth program for 16-24 Eligibility: Address: Online currently Phone: 707-544-3304.

Sonoma County Job Link is the county’s One-stop resource center. Staff are performing essential duties via phone, email, and video conferencing during shelter-in-place. Visit our website or call (707) 565-5596

Onward CA is a one-stop resource for the state of California impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. See what other benefits you qualify for at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, including disability insurance, paid sick leave, and workers’ compensation

File a claim for Unemployment Insurance online, by phone, or by email: Review these instructions. If you need additional help, watch this video tutorial. Local EDD staff can answer your questions about filing for Unemployment Insurance. For UI questions other than the basics of applying, please call: (707) 576-2850. Online Application Phone number: 1-800-300-5616 (English), 1-800-326-8937 (Spanish).

Search for recent job postings at CalJobs and O*Net Online. Visit Zippia to find remote work. Find online classes to sharpen your skill sets: Free Skillshare classes, University of the People, Computer Science courses on EdX, Free Coursera courses

Website: https://sonomawib.org/covid-19-response/ and https://sonomawib.org/home/youth/

Available Work

Places Currently Hiring/Press Democrat Updates

Ages Served: All Eligibility: Please see each company in the articles, VOICES can help youth 16-24 apply Address: N/A Phone: N/A

What they do: Updated: These Companies Are Hiring Right Now in Sonoma County

Website: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/10851833-181/these-companies-are-hiring-right

Unemployment Resources

Filing for Unemployment

Ages Served: All Eligibility: Please see below and their website Address: N/A Phone: They highly recommend utilizing online options

What they do: The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program pays benefits to workers who have lost their job and meet the program’s eligibility requirements. The EDD provides a variety of support services to people who have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California. For faster and more convenient access to those services, they encourage the use of the online options. VOICES staff are working on supporting youth (16-24) through this process if applicable.

Website: About EDD Corona Virus Unemployment and EDD Seguro de Desempleo en Espanol

College Student Resources

COVID-19 Student Resources for CA Community College Students and Beyond (Ongoing and Updated Frequently)

JBAY's COVID-19 Student Resources

Scholarships/Funds

California College Student Emergency Support Fund 

Update 4/23: Currently closed to applications or waitlist possibilities

Website: bit.ly/covid-student-grant

Scholly 2020 COVID-19 Student Relief

Ages: N/A Eligibility: Students & Parents of students, see below Address: N/A Phone: N/A

Apply today to receive $200 in cash assistance to help cover expenses during this global crisis. Our application takes less than two minutes. By providing $200 in cash assistance, we aim to provide essential financial help to buy groceries, health supplies, and other necessities to those in need. If you’re a student, parent of a student, or graduate, we encourage you to apply today.

First, applicants will be required to complete an initial application. Second, the selection process may include a telephone, or video interview, at the discretion of the selection committee. Sponsor will notify Program Award recipients by email, text message, and a subsequent phone call. 

Complete the application linked below. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and are subject to approval and available funds.

Website: http://myscholly.com/relief/?fbclid=IwAR0C_MDk6ThaW8ojOSSuGpfM_-LAFeHnsFtgLfIyHPNV-_zPeQT3eUPSI4c

Santa Rosa Junior College Resources

Student Resource Center Online:

• Coordinated Entry interview via virtual/video appointment or a phone appointment

• Food: Upcoming distributions will be held at the following times throughout the rest of the semester:

  • Burbank Circle, Santa Rosa campus, every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month

  • 9:00am-10:30am Petaluma Fairgrounds, every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 9:00am-10:00am

SRJC Crisis Response Fund: resources.santarosa.edu/crisis-response-fund

• Eligible Expenses: Unanticipated or unusual expenses

• The Crisis Response Fund grants are awarded to reimburse students or pay a vendor for a direct expense. STUDENT ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must have a short-term financial emergency or other unexpected critical incident.

  • Additionally, students: 1. Must have completed the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. 2. Must be a currently enrolled student. 3. Must be in good academic standing. 4. Must have unmet need.

• Amount: Grant amounts will vary and funding is limited. Eligible student recipients are limited to one grant in an academic year.

Website: https://www.santarosa.edu/srjc-remote-resources and https://onlinestudentservices.santarosa.edu

State and National Resources

Recovery Support

Rehab Spot

Ages: 18+ (online resources for minors) Eligibility: Anyone interested in local /online resources to support with addiction, treatment, and recovery  Phone: +18775831989

Rehab Spot is a free resource for people looking to be supported in their recovery. You can use the website to look at online resources or use the helpline to be connected with a dedicated treatment provider in your area. Sliding scale and insurance options are available once you are connected with a provider.

Website: https://www.rehabspot.com

Online Recovery Meetings

Ages: Varies on program, please see the sites Eligibility: See below Address: N/A Phone: N/A

• Alcoholics Anonymous (for alcoholics): https://www.12step-online.com/meetings/online-aa-meetings/       

• Narcotics Anonymous (for addicts):

• https://na.org/?ID=virtual_meetings

•  Al-Anon (for loved ones affected by the disease of addiction): https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/

• Life Ring (secular recovery): https://www.lifering.org/online-meetings

• Refuge Recovery (Buddhist inspired path to recovery): https://refugerecovery.org/meetings?tsml-day=any&tsml-region=online-english

• Phone Apps: https://www.rehabs.com/smartphone-apps-for-recovery/
  
  

Internet and Phone Services

Finding low cost internet and/or finding low cost PCs by zip code: EveryOneOn.org 

AT&T

For the next 60 days, AT&T will not terminate service for any wireless, home phone, or broadband residential or small bus customer due to inability to pay. They will also do the following:

• Waive late payment fees and keep their public Wi-Fi hotspots open for anyone who needs them.

• The service will also be offering unlimited internet data and offer internet access for limited income households at $10 a month through the Access from AT&T program.

For more details, click HERE.

Comcast Xfinity

The company is opening their Xfinity WiFi network for free along with providing unlimited data. To help people stay connected with school and work, Comcast is opening up their Xfinity WiFi network for everyone, as well as: Hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free, including non-subscribers. You can find a map of hot spots here. Just use “xfinitywifi” network name and launch a browser.

Verizon Free WiFi

Verizon also took the pledge and is offering similar services:

• The company will not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus.

• Waiving late fees for those impacted by COVID-19

For more information, click HERE.

Charter Spectrum Free WiFi

As of March 16, the company will offer:

• Free spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 or college students who don't have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

• Open WiFi hotspots

For more information, click HERE. 

Sprint

Sprint has joined the Keep Americans Connected Pledge and is opening up their network to their customers and:

• Won’t terminate service if customers are unable to pay due to coronavirus issues

• Waive late fees caused by economic disturbances related to the coronavirus pandemic

• By 3/19: Customers with metered data plans will have unlimited data per month for 60 days at no extra cost

• Customers will get an extra 20GB of mobile hotspot data per month for 60 days and customers with mobile hotspot-capable handsets without a hotspot will get 20GB per month for 60 days at no extra cost.

For more information, click HERE. 

T-Mobile

The wireless provider already has a majority of customers with unlimited talk, text, and data, but they’re doubling down on their effort to keep their customers connected.

• All current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have data plans will have unlimited smartphone data, excluding roaming.

• T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers will get an additional 20GB of mobile hotspots/tethering service for the next 60 days. The company says this feature will be coming soon.

• Work with Lifeline partners to get customers extra free data up to 5GB per month over the next two months

• Increase data allowance for free to schools and students for the next 60 days, which means at least 20GB of data per month for each participant

For more information, click HERE.

Sonic

Sonic is offering three months of free internet and unlimited nationwide telephone service to households with K-12, college students, or senior citizens 60 or older. This offer is valid for new Sonic residential customers in select markets only.

For more information, click HERE.

Health, Counseling, and National Helplines

Find a free clinic near you: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/

SAMHSA’s National Helpline

Ages: N/A Eligibility: Individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders Address: By phone Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. No, we do not provide counseling.

Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

The Disaster Distress Helpline

Ages: N/A Eligibility: Immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Address: By phone Phone: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster.

Our staff members provide counseling and support before, during, and after disasters and refer people to local disaster-related resources for follow-up care and support. Since its launch in February 2012, the Disaster Distress Helpline has provided counseling and support in response to disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Ebola outbreak, and the Coronavirus pandemic.

Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Text TalkWithUs to 66746, Use your preferred relay service to call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990, or use TTY 1-800-846-8517

Spanish Speakers: Call 1-800-985-5990 and press "2"

From the 50 States, text Hablanos to 66746. From Puerto Rico, text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663

Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

SAMHSA Online Treatment Locator 

Ages: All Eligibility: People dealing with substance use/addiction and/or mental health issues. Address: Online

Confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.

Website:  findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

Other Helpful Health Links:

Covered CA and healthcare.gov/

Gov. Newsom issued an Executive Order to waive eligibility redeterminations for 90 days for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS, Cash Assistance for immigrants & in-home supportive services.

How to Make Your Own Face Mask