Ways to Help
Sometimes no action is the best action. The most important thing is to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus by sheltering in place and practicing social distancing
We’ve compiled list of volunteer resources below, be sure to contact volunteer agencies first – please do not show up to help without first making contact. This causes people to allocate precious resources to help you instead of helping those in need.
Please follow these guidelines whenever volunteering so you don’t cause someone to be sick.
- If you are feeling well and no one else in your home is sick, you can volunteer by signing up online at cvnl.org/covid19help. Volunteering with trusted community organizations is usually the best way to go because they know the correct protocols and how to deal with the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the types of people they serve.
- If you are feeling well and know there may be a need to check on a neighbor, try giving them a call or texting to keep physical distance.
- Help everyone stay safe when helping others in person: remember to wash your hands, keep a minimum of 6 feet apart, and wash again if you touch anything.
- In-person visits with neighbors should be only when necessary, and then keep them short and include adults only. Kids should stay home.
- If your neighbor is an older adult, a person with a disability or illness, or is a family caregiver, give them the County Aging & Adult line at (415) 457-INFO. This taps into valuable services such as transportation, food delivery, and more. Hours are 8:30a-4:30p M-F.
- If you are feeling sick, anyone in your home is feeling sick, or you have come in contact with anyone you know is sick in the past two weeks please stay home. Your neighbors will thank you for it! This will be a long event and you’ll have opportunities to help again soon
- For more information and resources visit https://www.marinhhs.org/.
Volunteering Resources
Established Volunteer Opportunities
All volunteer needs will be posted to the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) website and updated as needs arise. We strongly encourage you to volunteer with existing organizations and activities and follow their guidelines as well as those from the County Health Department.
Medical Professionals
If you are a licensed healthcare professional, you may become part of the Marin Medical Reserve Corps or the Marin County “Surge” Unit.
If you are
not a healthcare professional or an
unlicensed healthcare retiree, you are welcome to join the Marin Medical Reserve Corps. Please note that priority will be to onboard licensed healthcare professionals during COVID-19.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Assistance
There are some ways to check on your neighbors and see if they need help. The best way to do it is by phone, email, text, or if you go to their home, please knock and back up 6 feet before they answer. Follow the safety guidelines above to keep vulnerable people safe. Try to connect people with official resources as much as possible.
NextDoor.com Help Map
Other Ways to Help
California Volunteers Resources
Donations
Please ensure that any donations you wish to make go through established organizations that have requested specific donations. Generally, they need cash more than anything right now. Some organizations may be posting about items they need such as masks or other protective equipment, but it’s important to make sure to contact them first to get direction on specifics such as what they will accept or not accept, and how to deliver to them in a safe manner. Here's a place to get you started.