Karen Gerrity, Nederland. In true Ned fashion, the community has come together to provide essential services and support to neighbors in need during the pandemic.  Area nonprofits, communities of faith, volunteers, businesses, and government entities, are working, often behind the scenes, to ensure that residents have access to goods and services so they can meet basic needs such as food and sustainable housing. Now more than ever a Culture of Kindness is being advanced in our community. 

Since April 1, 2020, Emergency Family Assistance Agency (EFAA) has provided 52 households in the greater Nederland area with financial support in the amount of $350,000 for rent, mortgage payments, utilities fees, and other critical housing needs. They have a local Nederland resident employee, Kristi Venditti, who normally works from the Community Center EFAA office and is currently working from her home office. They anticipate spending an equal amount in the month of May. Kristi can be reached at kristi@effa.org. 

Canyon Cares out of Coal Creek Canyon also has provided tens of thousands of dollars of support for Nederland area residents and more information can be found here: www.canyoncares.org. The Boulder County Area Agency on Aging has done the same for dozens of seniors living in the mountains. They also have a local mountain resident, Colleen Sinclair, on staff who normally provides services out of an office at the Community Center and is currently working remotely. She can be reached at csinclair@bouldercounty.org. 

Boulder County announced that it recently received $2 billion in federal stimulus funding to help people impacted by the pandemic. They’ve launched a new housing helpline and the number is 303-441-1206. Specialists can assist people struggling with rent and mortgage assistance as well as landlord-tenant mediation, financial coaching, and mortgage loan modifications. 

Area churches are great resources for support. For example, the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church has a Pastor’s fund which provides financial and volunteer support for area residents for everything from rental stipends to delivering wood to seniors in need. They also hired local Claudia Schauffler to coordinate a Resource Hotline (text or call 303.258.3387), connecting volunteers with people who need things like picking up prescriptions, taking folks to medical appointments, and delivering groceries.  St. Rita’s continues to provide support for AA and Al-Anon groups and are currently hosting virtual meetings. More information can be found here: https://saintrita-church.com/outreach/ We are fortunate to have robust and engaged communities of faith in Nederland. 

For food needs, Nederland Food Pantry, Nederland Area Seniors, Teens Inc. and Lovin’ Cup Community Kitchen are all excellent resources. There are many other service providers such as Center for People with Disabilities, Peak to Peak Counseling, and the Boulder County Childcare Assistance Program. For a complete list of area resources check out www.p2phhs.org.

In addition to all these resources, there are also the random acts of kindness happening every day. Recently there as a sign posted at the Peace Garden thanking healthcare workers, first responders, food service and delivery drivers, waste collectors, postal workers and human services staff and volunteers. 

An anonymous message was left at the entry to the Nederland Police Department thanking them for keeping the community safe. 

And Casey from the Mountain People’s Co-op donated kid friendly face coverings to the Nederland Police Department. Sergeant Jenn Fine-Loven says, “These are super comfortable and make them the coolest crew around.” 

We are lucky to be a part of this community where a Culture of Kindness is promoted and advanced, especially during times of crisis such as the pandemic. 

(Originally published in the May 14, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)