Hurricane Ida’s impact on the Coatesville community has been profound and lasting. After that devastating day in early September of 2021, as the flood waters began to recede in the hardest hit sections of the city, a single red umbrella was pulled from the street. This simple item became a symbol of hope and inspired the launch of the Red Umbrella Response Fund, a crucial, collective effort to assist the residents of Coatesville and Modena. We invite you to read on and discover the many ways we are serving the community during this unprecedented time of need.
The Alliance for Health Equity & Brandywine Valley Active Aging
In partnership, The Alliance for Health Equity has provided a $50,000 grant through the Red Umbrella Response Fund to Brandywine Valley Active Aging (BVAA). BVAA has supplied case management support, as well as much-needed financial support to residents and neighbors impacted by Hurricane Ida. This financial support has assisted local families and individuals with mold remediation, storage of personal items, moving expenses, space heaters, and much more. For a clear picture of exactly how funds have been distributed to serve the community, please refer to the graph below.
In addition to basic needs and necessary repair costs, The Red Umbrella Response Fund has also provided a $15,000 grant to Two Fish and Five Loaves for emergency meal support to help feed affected residents. Over 1,350 hot meals were provided to the communities most impacted by Hurricane Ida, including families who are now living in hotels after being displaced from their homes due to catastrophic damage.
Spreading Holiday Cheer
As we approach a new year, it’s important to note that The Alliance for Health Equity has strived to keep the magic and joy of the holiday season alive in the City of Coatesville. For many residents, decorations stored in basements were completely destroyed by flood waters. In response and in the spirit of giving, local families in need have received a Christmas tree and decorations through The Red Umbrella Response Fund, and Angel Tree gifts are also being delivered. Assisting affected community members with purchasing Christmas gifts not only spreads holiday cheer, but this simple act also lessens the financial burden and emotional stress our community is experiencing in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
The Alliance for Health Equity (formerly Brandywine Health Foundation) is a philanthropic organization striving to advance a more equitable, resilient and healthy community for all residents of the Greater Coatesville area. We pursue our mission by providing grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students that address health and economic disparities and social justice. We also build partnership programs and give voice to those often left out of community solution building to improve the overall health of their communities. 100% of contributions go directly to those in need.