From Our Team

New Resources Available to Navigate through COVID-19

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Tracy J. Yellen

In just a few short weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed almost every facet of daily life in the Paso del Norte Region. Unchanged, however, is Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s mission to lead, leverage and invest in initiatives, programs, and policies that promote health and prevent disease in the Paso del Norte region.

That’s why the Health Foundation has created the EPCOVID19.org Information Hub and, in partnership with the Fundación Paso del Norte para la Salud y Bienestar, the JuarezCovid19.com Information Hub. The bilingual websites include valuable resources for parents, veterans, employers and employees to address health and safety, mental health, food insecurity, homeschooling, physical activity, and much more. Resources are free and available online or by phone. The websites are updated daily and non-profits can add new resources by clicking on the “Submit Community Resources” button on the sites.

We are also working hand-in-hand with the City of El Paso’s Department of Public Health and El Paso City-County Office of Emergency Management, which are leading the public health response. We have worked with them to create a suite of bilingual public service announcements featuring some of the most trusted, recognizable voices in our region including Estela Casas, John Tiecher, Rosa Guerrero, Omar Salgado and Felipa Solis. These PSAs drive home the importance of wearing face coverings, social distancing, hand washing and working together to get through this unprecedented event. You’ll find many of those PSAs at EPCOVID19.org, too.

For those looking for ways to help, the Paso del Norte Community Foundation is working with community partners to establish six new funds:

• The El Paso COVID-19 Response Fund was established in partnership with the United Way of El Paso to support nonprofit organizations serving the most vulnerable in our community including the homeless, elderly and food insecure.

• The El Paso Food and Beverage Workers Fund was established by a group of local service industry volunteers to support a grant to Workforce Solutions Borderplex to provide relief to food and beverage workers in El Paso, Sunland Park and Santa Teresa who have been laid off or working significantly reduced hours due to a temporary closure as a result of the pandemic.

• The EP COVID-19 Medical Equipment and Supply Fund was established to accept donations to support the production and acquisition of needed medical supplies for frontline workers including the production of face shields by local 3D printers.

• The Juárez COVID-19 Response Fund was established by the Fundación Paso del Norte para la Salud y Bienestar to support the acquisition and distribution of needed protective equipment for healthcare and other frontline workers in Ciudad Juárez.

• The Fortify the Heroes Fund was established by 21-year old Nicholas Spurbeck to accept tax-deductible donations for the purchase and delivery of snacks and meals to local hospitals and first responders to help these essential providers feel the love as they work tirelessly to heal and protect.

• The EPISD Cares Fund was established to facilitate donations to help meet the $1 million challenge grant to support El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank in their efforts to feed families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donations of all sizes can make a big difference in easing the economic impact that the COVID-19 virus has on our region.

Together, we can ensure that our community has the knowledge, resources, support and environment to live happy, healthy and productive lives throughout the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Tracy J. Yellen

Tracy J. Yellen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation, which includes the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, Fundación Paso del Norte, El Paso Giving Day and a growing community of philanthropy. Ms. Yellen earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University and Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. She is a former college basketball player and marathon runner. Tracy is married to Steve Yellen and has two children.