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MINNESOTA AFRICANS COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESOURCES AVAILABLE

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Dear African Immigrant Community:

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On March 20, 2020, the Minnesota Africans United hosted an online video call with African immigrants from throughout Minnesota. Joined by friends and supporters of Minnesota Africans United, including Metropolitan State University and Global Minnesota, we came together to voice our concerns and to demonstrate our resiliency.  People on the call had the opportunity to explain the situations facing their families, neighbors, and the small and micro-businesses owners in their communities that have lost their income during their crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many can’t afford the basic necessities of life -- food, housing, healthcare, and transportation. In order to help them, we have compiled emergency resources that we want to share with members in relation to services that can help them quickly to combat and survive during this disruptive and uncertain times: 

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Small Business/Micro Business Support Disaster loan application: The Small Business Administration in Minnesota is providing loans and grants to small businesses following the negative impact of COVID-19.  If you own a small business or receive services from a small business or know of other small businesses in the community, please open the link:  https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-disaster-loans-minnesota-small-businesses-impacted-covid-19 

 

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund - Restaurant Revitalization Fund (sba.gov). You will find a program guide, sample application and link to sign up to receive updates on the program.

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SBA COVID response: www.sba.gov/relief and www.sba.gov/asistencia

PPP: www.sba.gov/ppp (and /paycheckprotection) and www.sba.gov/ppp-espanol (and /protecciondepago)

PPP Lender info: www.sba.gov/ppplenders

COVID-19 EIDL: www.sba.gov/eidl and www.sba.gov/eidl-espanol

Targeted Advance: www.sba.gov/targetedadvance and www.sba.gov/anticipoeidl

SVOG: www.sba.gov/svogrant

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MAU is looking to have volunteers from the community who will help some of our registered members in need of help with paperwork. MAU can help connect you with our community volunteers if you are a registered member. To help with your paperwork, services can only be provided online as of now for free. If you are a partner or a registered member of MAU, please send an email to: bajuo@mnafricansunited.org

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How Small Businesses Can Get Help During the Coronavirus Outbreak: Since the coronavirus has destabilized the economy and impacted companies across the globe, we hope this guide can help small businesses take control of their finances and be prepared for their financial future. The Consumer Education team has published a guide discussing forms of financial relief that the government and many lenders have offered to help small businesses keep the lights on and their business running. To access this guide, please open the link: https://lendedu.com/blog/how-small-businesses-can-get-help-during-coronavirus-outbreak/

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Please note that SBA can also assist you with the application if you need support. 

This link provides video training on YouTube how to access this grant: https://youtu.be/z-dHh64AxUg

 For detailed information on SBA programs for the coronavirus, please visit www.sba.gov/coronavirus and for information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus 

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FINIMPACT just released a new Small Business Survival Guide: Best 8 Financial Tools to Combat COVID-19. For more information, please open this link: https://www.finimpact.com/covid-19-coronavirus-smbs/  

 

Emergency Deferred Small Business Loan

City of Brooklyn Park opened applications today for a 12- month deferred payment of 0% interest loans. Loans are available to businesses with fewer than 20 employees and under $2 million in annual revenue and will be eligible for forgiveness after one year. https://www.brooklynpark.org/covid19-5/#brooklyn-park-emergency-deferred-small-business-loan There is also information on Hennepin County’s Small Business Relief Program and other business support on that webpage. The deadline is May 4.

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New DEED Small Business Emergency Loan link:

www.mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/peacetime/

 

African Development Center of Minnesota Emergency Loan Assistance 

https://www.adcminnesota.org/services-programs/start-business

 

Grant resources for nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals:

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  • Minnesota Department of Human Services, Disability Services Division Multicultural Grants (DHS DSD Innovation Grants)
    https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/grants-rfps/disability-innovation-grants/

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Unemployment Benefits Assistance:
If you are in a desperate situation and in need of assistance on how to access your unemployment, we recommend you contact your legislator at: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/

 

Additional information can be located at the website of the

Minnesota Unemployment Program at:  https://www.uimn.org/

 

Healthcare access, Health Insurance:
The Minnesota Department of health made available resources and grant opportunities to our communities. For more information for people without health insurance, please click the link: https://www.mnsure.org/new-customers/enrollment-deadlines/special-enrollment/covid19-sep.jsp

 

The most up-to-date and accurate information about financial decisions that affect retirement has been published by  Retired Guide,a free web resource dedicated to providing the most up-to-date and accurate information about financial decisions that affect retirement . If you are soon-to-be retired professional or already on retirement, you can find a link to the RetiredGuide.com resource at their informational page about Medicare by clicking the links: www.retireguide.com/guides/covid-19-retirement/
www.retireguide.com/medicare/

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Utilities (Energy and Gas Utilities):
Minnesotans needing assistance with payment plans or accessing assistance, or if you need information or help with your utility service provider can contact the Consumer Affairs Office for assistance at consumer.puc@state.mn.us, 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782. 

The Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley and the  Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Chair Katie Sieben, sent a joint letter on to all electric and gas utilities operating in the state on March 24, 2020 following Governor Tim Walz’s Executive Order 20-01 declaring a peacetime emergency to protect Minnesotans from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

 

Online Business Support For Business Owners:
If you are an African Business and you want to partner with an America business to explore African markets and to increase your online sales and marketing during this crisis, MAU is trying to provide extra support to you. MAU is partnering with TRIUMPHGRAPHICS, a small African business that can provide you support during these hard times with software design, online store, marketing, website design, and connect you with other businesses and your customers using technology during this challenging time. This would certainly be good for both the Minnesota community and the African customers. Check out TRIUMPHGRAPHICS website at:  https://TriumphGraphics.net and take advantage of his global technology platform. 

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For any Health related questions about COVID-19

Please call 651- 201-3920 0r 1-800-657-3903.

Community Support for Food, Shelter, paying house bills, sanitary and Hygiene: The Greater Twin City United Way are helping to provide support to the most vulnerable. Please click the link: http://www.211.org/services/covid19

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Education Support For Online Teaching And Learning:
Educators Dealing With Online Training Can Visit This Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00896-7?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&utm_campaign=7fdc8b2aa7-briefing-dy-20200325&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-7fdc8b2aa7-44697689

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Mortgage payments and Housing:  Keller Williams Integrity Realty in Roseville will focus providing housing opportunity to the African Immigrant population, as the major part of a multi-cultural effort. As a first step, contact:

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Tax related questions: The MN Department of Revenue has extended their tax filing dateline from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. For more information, please click the link: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/our-response-covid-19


Face Masks and COVID-19 Protection:
Our charitable community member is sewing face masks and COVID -19 protection and making them available to Minnesotans. With this emergency, Naija Fashion Sewing is on it to serve our community by providing health materials to constituents they need to protect their health while providing services to our citizens. If you need Face Mask supplies, Naija Fashion Sewing can sew and drop off Face Masks at your doorsteps if you are self-isolating. As a sole proprietor, Naija Fashion is also raising the money to continue helping those affected by the crisis and to help the elderly people without the means to get a mask. Please reach out to Naija Fashion Closet: Phone number: 763-568-4272.

 

Employment Opportunities:

If you are interested in starting a job search, please visit these links: https://jobs.makeitmsp.org/

Minnesota Council of Nonprofit jobs: http://jobs.minnesotanonprofits.org/

Philanthropy Jobs: https://jobs.philanthropy.com/

Jobs at Minnesota Council of Foundations: https://mcf.org/jobs

Pollen Midwest Jobs: https://www.pollenmidwest.org/opportunities/

Jobs at North Dakota Association of Nonprofits: https://www.ndano.org/resources/job-center.html

You can search for open positions at: https://www.careerforcemn.com/job-search

US BANK JOBS: https://www.usbank.com/careers/index.html

AMAZON JOBS: https://blog.aboutamazon.com/operations/amazon-opening-100000-new-roles

JOBS AT TARGET: https://corporate.target.com/careers/

JOBS AT HORMEL: https://www.hormelfoods.com/careers/

CUB FOOD: https://www.cub.com/community/careers/store-jobs.html 

LUNDS AND BYERLY: https://lundsandbyerlys.com/about-us/careers/

Jobs for health care workers: https://www.careerforcemn.com/careerforce-blog/hospitality-skills-transfer-well-many-health-care-positions

Career force can also help you: https://www.careerforcemn.com/

To prevent COVID - 19: visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s website at: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

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