AFSCME Local 1207 member Jamie Brown is one of 80 cleaners laid off in early May when the Washington Convention Center was reconfigured into a COVID-19 field hospital. The 32-year-old has three children, aged 2, 8 and 14. “I have been stressing in many ways trying to figure out how to come up with the money during this pandemic,” Jamie told Union City. The Metro Council’s Community Services Agency and her union helped her pay the rent, and she says “I am thankful for the help. It lifted a big burden off of my shoulders.” Through its Emergency Assistance Fund, CSA has been able to help over 100 local workers with rent, utility, food and other basic necessities. "Broad-based support from the Metro Washington labor community, individual donors, the Greater Washington Community Foundation and the United Way National Capital Area made the funding possible to keep Jamie and her family in their home,” said CSA Executive Director Sonte DuCote. "Stories like Jamie’s show the real impact of these generous contributions, keeping our communities strong throughout the COVID-19 crisis,” she added.
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