Partner: IRC

Advisor: Sharon Singer

Nyan, his wife and their two children arrived in Richmond this summer, some of the lucky few refugees allowed in to the U.S. under current strict immigration policies and COVID travel restrictions. Originally from Burma (Myanmar), Nyan spent 26 years in a refugee camp in Thailand, where the conditions in camps are notoriously deficient in nutrition and education. Nyan is illiterate, but learning conversational English. IRC employment specialists secured him a job in a food-processing factory. Nyan is working the overnight shift in cold, physically demanding conditions. He is grateful for the job that supports his family of four, but he would like warm layers like wool work socks and a warm coat that will make the job more tolerable. He could also use a commuter kit that includes a lunch bag and insulated mug.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Training. Christeva is an enrolled participant with OCWB's Workforce Program. She has completed the unarmed security guard training and needs assistance with registering with the Department of Criminal Justice Service to get her certification. The fees must be paid online with a card at the time of registration. This type of assistance will help Christeva secure employment.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Natasha, a participant in the Office of Community Wealth Building Workforce program, is an aspiring Pharmacy Technician. She could not complete her on-site training due to COVID-19, but has recently found a way to finish her classes online -- but she does not have a computer. She's requesting help to purchase a laptop so she can earn her Pharmacy Tech certification.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Rent. Keith was laid off from being a Head Chef from a retreat facility since June as a result of the pandemic. His employer cancelled all catering jobs for 2020. Since then, he has worked a temp job for a local university that has closed since students have left for the holidays. Although he was invited to apply for a permanent position , he has no income right now. A church has agreed to pay $300 toward his balance for rent. All he needs is a little over $200 to make ends meet for the month of January.

Partner: Peter Paul Development Center

Advisor: Sherika Chew

Umekia is a single mother two disabled adult children. She has been laid off from her home health job due to the pandemic. She has recently just recovered from Covid 19 and her only income are the benefits she receives from Social Security for her children since her unemployment benefits recently stopped. They have been staying in a hotel since September and she needs assistance covering the rent due this week. She is very optimistic but also understandably under quite a bit of stress. She hopeful that since she recovered so well from the virus that she will be able to find work again soon and get back to a more steady place of residence.

Partner: Peter Paul Development Center

Advisor: Sherika Chew

Tamera is a senior living alone who was laid off due to COVID. A bubbly, optimistic person, she spends most of her days caring for her elderly mother -- she loves having this time to be with her mother, even though many things are uncertain. She has fallen slightly behind on her rent, and needs assistance to get caught up.

Partner: Peter Paul Development Center

Advisor: Sherika Chew

Denise is a single mother of 3 who has been laid off due to the pandemic. She has been making due with unemployment benefits for a while but has run into an issue that has caused those benefits to stop. She needs assistance covering her water bill while she works through the proper channels to reinstate her benefits. She is hoping this all blows over soon so that she can get back to work.

Partner: Peter Paul Development Center

Advisor: Sherika Chew

Lakeisha is a single mother who has been laid off due to Covid. She spends most of her time attending to her children's online learning experience and trying to secure new employment that will fit with her busy schedule as a mom and allow her to secure quality childcare for her infant. She has recently fallen behind on her rent and needs some assistance getting back on track so that she can continue to focus on what matters most.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with work equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Isaac is a participant in the Office of Community Wealth Building program and completed his barbering training during COVID and obtained his license. He needs supplies to launch his business. Isaac already has clientele and is eager to get to work!

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Utility Bill. Ivory is a single parent who was furloughed due to COVID-19. Ivory had to secure employment elsewhere, and her current income is less than what she was making at her previous job. Ivory is catching up on her financial obligations and is asking for help with her utility bill this month.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Tires. Richard was employed for 12 years until the company closed its doors due to COVID. He has been able to find other employment but needs help with buying tires for his car to get back and forth to work. This unforeseen cost will set him back financially, and he can't afford to miss time from his new job.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with a Laptop. April is a single parent with three children and who has been furloughed due to COVID-19. April has enrolled in a CDL Class A training program. Since the training is online, April will need a computer to complete the course. Completing the course will qualify Danielle to secure viable employment as a truck driver.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Rent Assistance. Miquitta is an enrolled participant in OCWB's Workforce Program who has been out of work due to the pandemic. She lost her job and due to a lack of child care. Since that time, Miquitta has been experiencing difficulty paying bills. She is also unable to pay for child care at this time and is currently seeking a work from home job. Miquitta is requesting help with paying her rent.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Electricity Bill. Tonyelle is an enrolled participant in OCWB's Workforce program. She is experiencing financial hardship due to a reduction in work hours. Tonyelle also an artist and uses her artistry to earn part-time income as she continues to look for employment. She is requesting help to pay her Dominion Energy bill until she can find a job.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with a Laptop. Georgette is a single parent with two children and currently is unemployed due to COVID-19. Georgette has enrolled in a CDL Class A training program. Since the training is online, Georgette will need a computer to complete the course. Completing the course will qualify Georgette to secure viable employment as a truck driver.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with a Laptop. Shardae is a single parent working at a local distribution company. He has enrolled in a CDL Class A training program. Due to COVID-19, the training is online, and Shardae requires a computer to complete the training. Once Shardae completes the training, he will secure employment with a substantial pay increase.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Car Insurance. Chantice is a participant in the Office of Community Wealth Building's Workforce Program. She is attending J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. However, Chantice experienced a recent loss in employment because of the pandemic and has incurred fees associated with moving into another apartment. She is asking for help with her car insurance.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Electricity Bill. Tashana is a participant in the Office of Community Wealth Building’s Workforce Program. She has just relocated to a new place that she is renting and needs help paying her first electricity bill. Due to COVID-19, Tashana was out of work for a while and has recently secured employment. Tashana needs some support during this transition in employment and housing.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with Laptop. Jamillah is a participant in the Office of Community Wealth Building's Workforce Program. She completed an in-person Basic Keyboarding and Computer Application course at Dream Academy and will start a new online virtual Office Procedures course in January 2021. Jamilah needs help purchasing a laptop as she has not been working due to COVID-19. This type of assistance will help Jamilah complete her online training.

Partner: Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building

Advisor: Chaya Braxton

Help with a Laptop. Eric is a participant at one of OCWB's career stations. He also is in CDL school to become a truck driver. Eric must complete his classes online at home due to social distancing restrictions, and he does not own a computer. Eric is requesting assistance with buying a laptop so he can finish his certification.