In times of crisis, connection, communication and collaborative action are essential. Gathering Ground’s cross-sector movement provides the opportunity for quick activation of networks to disseminate timely information in rapidly changing environments and for people and organizations to connect and coordinate efforts.
2020 COVID-19 Briefings: In response to the global shutdown from COVID-19, as situations rapidly deteriorated and information changed on a daily basis, we launched a 10-week series of virtual statewide conversations and activated our expansive network of colleagues with expertise in health, nonprofit advocacy, food justice, journalism, accessibility, education, emergency management and government services, and philanthropy, among other fields.
These Briefings welcomed twenty-two guest expert speakers, who shared timely and critical updates related to the COVID-19 Needs and Response Activities in New Jersey. In true Gathering Ground style, these sessions were not typical webinars but rather interactive, collaborative conversations.
We developed a compendium of summary reports from these conversations, which include hundreds of links to information and resources.
Statewide Conversations on COVID-19 Response
Individual Crisis Briefings
COVID-19 Briefing #10 (6.10.20) – Racial Justice
Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #10 – June 10, 2020 Topic: Racial Justice: What’s Happening in NJ and What You Can Do
COVID-19 Briefing #9 (6.3.20) – Building Urban Resiliency (Local Response)
https://youtu.be/exEVCCYtqVo Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #9 – June 3, 2020 Topic: Building Urban Resiliency During the Pandemic (Local Response) Guest speaker
COVID-19 Briefing #8 (5.20.20) – Food Security and Access
https://youtu.be/GcnW7VFU6XU Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #8 – May 20, 2020 Topic: Food Security and Access during COVID-19 Guest Speaker #1: Dwayne
COVID-19 Briefing #7 (5.13.20) – Resilient Senior Living
https://youtu.be/GLNHCotViHI Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #7 – May 13, 2020 Topic: Resilient Senior Living During COVID-19 Guest speaker #1: Michael Oakes,
COVID-19 Briefing #6 (5.6.20) – Accessibility in the Pandemic
https://youtu.be/QdBkRV39IOU Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #6 – May 6, 2020 — Developed in partnership with Eyes Like Mine, Inc. and the
COVID-19 Briefing #5 (4.29.20) – Protecting Mental Health
https://youtu.be/BNRDM1w2oAw Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #5 – April 29, 2020 Topic: Protecting Our Mental Health During the Pandemic Guest speaker #1:
COVID-19 Briefing #4 (4.22.20) – State of Education
https://youtu.be/ndXMhy1Ljc0 Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #4 – April 22, 2020 Topic: The State of Education during COVID-19 Guest speaker #1: John
COVID-19 Briefing #3 (4.15.20) – Journalism & Informing Communities
https://youtu.be/Jtah08vU-GE Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #3 – April 15, 2020 Topic: Journalism: informing communities and fostering equity during COVID-19 Guest speaker
COVID-19 Briefing #2 (4.8.20) – Relief Funds
https://youtu.be/EEfqpgQUWRw Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #2 – April 8, 2020 Topics: NJCC’s Garden State Relief Fund & NJ’s Philanthropic Response Guest
COVID-19 Briefing #1 (4.1.20) – Nonprofit update
https://youtu.be/U3RShsfbhQI Gathering Ground’s Statewide Conversations — COVID-19 Response Call #1 – April 1, 2020 Topic: Nonprofit update and resources during COVID-19 Guest speaker Linda Czipo,
