Press Releases

1/7/2022 The Library's Elgin Area Pandemic Team Continues Assistance through June of 2022

The Elgin Area Pandemic Team that is funded by an Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) grant to the Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation and Library District, in partnership with Centro de Informacion and in coordination with local, regional and state partners has been authorized to extend work through June of 2022.  The IPHA budgeted an additional $100,000 to the Foundation to continue.  

Every day, these team members help vulnerable people who have been negatively impacted by this pandemic. While we will share a few stories below, it is well worth noting the raw numbers - they have outreached a "need for vaccination" message to multiple thousands of people and they have helped over 1,800 people with vaccines, food, cleaning products, utility and rental assistance. They work with multiple local partners to ensure that people get the assistance they need even as partners and resources are continually changing.

"We saved his life," " keep us all safe," and "life changing," are just few of the words used in some recent comments from people who have been helped by the Team -

A gentleman came to the table at the library today. He said we arranged his first and second Pfizer vaccines. He then said he had a breakthru case about three weeks ago. His symptoms included cough, sneezing and stomach “issues”.  He then said he did not lose his senses of taste or smell, “maybe that’s because of my physical make up”. Then he went on to say how grateful he is that he was able to get his vaccines through us because “if not for you setting me up to get those shots I would have died.” He believes we saved his life.

 

A lady came to the table late in the day and said she had a real problem and only we could fix it. She said that she wanted to see her family and only we could help. Curious. Her family had “boycotted her” because she was unvaccinated, so we fixed her up with an appointment at CVS and she called her mom to let her know. Mom said that since she had an appointment for both first and second shots she was very welcome to come back home.

 

A lady came by the lobby table at the library today. She said she wanted to stop by and just tell us thank you for being here and doing the work that we do. She said that she understands that we are here working for everyone to ”keep us all safe.” This happens at least two or three times a week. Different people come by and say similar things. 

 

A client who requested utilities assistance several months ago came into the library today to say that he received assistance through us and that all of his utilities are paid and current. He said he was so thankful that nothing will be turned off this winter and he is on a payment plan for each utility company now. He believes that he has a very good chance of never being behind again. He stated that for him this is “life changing.”

Elginite Martha Martinez heads up the Library pandemic team.  As she testified at the Congressional Subcommittee in November 10, 2021 (opening statement attached), for most of that time period Anamaria Mora, Chas Sirridge, Luz Purcell and Sue Tuominen comprised the team. As this grant was originally set to end October of 2021, the team is experiencing some turnover and several positions are becoming available. Interested people should check https://www.gailborden.info/about-the-library/employment early next week. 

 

The team continues to maintain hours from 1 - 5 pm in the Main Library at 270 N. Grove in Elgin. They can also be reached via 224-765-7370 or by elginareaPAT@gmail.com. Further information at the Pandemic Assistance Team  is at https://gailborden.info/covidhelp.  

 

Next vaccine booster clinic - In partnership with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the clinic will be Saturday, January 29 at the Main Library from 9 am - 4 pm.  Registration for that clinic will open soon. 

 

The Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation and Library District, in partnership with Centro de Informacion and in coordination with local, regional and state partners, is assisting COVID-impacted people in our community as part of the Pandemic Health Navigator Program. The grant for this program is from the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), in partnership with the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) and funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).  The program utilizes Community Health Workers to help prevent transmission of COVID-19 through education and outreach, and integrates community health centers, community-based organizations, and public health partners to coordinate Illinois resources for the most vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Centro de Informacion is a full partner on this project along with the City of Elgin, U-46 and many other organizations. 

4/15/2021 Elgin Area Pandemic Assistant Press Release

The Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation and Library District, in partnership with Centro de Informacion and in coordination with local, regional and state partners, will be assisting COVID-impacted people in our community as part of the Pandemic Health Navigator Program. The grant for this program is from the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), in partnership with the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) and funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).  The program will utilize Community Health Workers to help prevent transmission of COVID-19 through education and outreach, and integrates community health centers, community-based organizations, and public health partners to coordinate Illinois resources for the most vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Centro de Informacion will be a full partner on this project along with the City of Elgin, U-46 and many other organizations. 

 

The Community Health Care Workers will be referring covid impacted people to a vast number of resources in the community. They anticipate assisting people with vaccine sign up, rental, food, utility needs and more. Most, if not all, of the workers are bilingual. 

 

Perry Maier, Regional Coordinator of the IPHA grant, reached out to the library to ask them to participate in this effort.  Maier said, "We want this grant to help many, many people who need assistance. I was part of the original Census 2020 effort in Elgin and I experienced the power of dedicated people working together. We need those trusted messengers to help now." 

 

Karina Nava, Assistant to the City Manager, said, " The IPHA funding is very beneficial for our community. We’ve already seen how helpful the community health workers’ have been during their short time assisting at the new Kane/Cook Elgin mass vaccination site. We are excited to keep collaborating with Gail Borden Library and other Elgin agencies to help underserved populations overcome barriers in accessing covid-19 vaccines.” 

 

"We were honored to receive this funding and to do this work," said Mike Lee, Executive Director of the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation. 

 

"We are thankful that Martha Martinez will supervise our team," said Denise Raleigh of the Gail Borden Public Library, who will coordinate this grant.  "We have met with many organizations and the people at the YWCA that also received this grant, and we plan to coordinate our efforts to ensure that people know about this project that is happening to support them."

 

As the work begins, members of the Community Health Workers Team plan to be stationed at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Main, Elgin, weekdays from 1 - 5 pm. 

 

For more information, please visit gailborden.info/covid help.

 

IPHA Regional Coordinator, Perry Maier's phone number is (630) 846-0883.

 

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