Brighton Center Sees 300 Percent Increase in Families Requesting Help

Brighton Center typically serves families that are working but still struggling to make ends meet, with a mission of helping them achieve self-sufficiency. While some families need immediate stabilization with emergency services and support, many clients are either participating in job-training programs and working to develop long-term financial sustainability or are on fixed incomes.

"For the people we work with in situations like the COVID-19 crisis, the stakes are much higher", said Tammy Weidinger, President & CEO of Brighton Center. "Many of our clients are working but are not quite making enough money to not have to worry about their bills. The stress for this group is tremendous and the unknowns brought on by COVID-19 weigh on them just as much as not having basic things."

Brighton Center staff has seen approximately a 300 percent increase in the number of families requesting help since the crisis began, and the organization spent $10,000 more than usual during week two of the crisis to purchase food to meet the demand.

According to Weidinger, many people are anxiously seeking government benefits such as unemployment payments and stimulus checks, but they won't come soon enough for some to meet their immediate needs.

Thanks to the generous support of our community, the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund activated by Greater Cincinnati Foundation and United Way of Greater Cincinnati has assisted in providing food for seniors and families and rent assistance for working families.

"We serve clients in job training programs who've lost their jobs as servers and now can't pay their April rent," Weidinger said. "We're getting many calls for diapers, food and foreclosure prevention. We're grateful for the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund for helping us keep our workforce safe, employed and helping our community."

Thank you for your support during this challenging time. Our community is stronger because of you.

Funded by Greater Cincinnati Foundation & United Way of Greater Cincinnati's COVID-19 Regional Response Fund.