United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, United Way’s 211, a free confidential referral and information helpline and website, has seen 200-400% higher inquiry volume. Millions of people are in need of food, financial assistance, and housing, but community services are struggling to meet the demand. The United Way COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund supports communities by helping local United Ways respond.
How you can help:
Crisis Text Line’s For the Frontlines
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message and has one of the largest mental health data sets in the world with over 150 million messages exchanged since 2013. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, their conversation volume has been 47% above normal, and 78% of all conversations involve anxiety. Health care professionals and essential workers are risking their health every day and are in critical need of fast, free crisis counseling at their fingertips, which is why For the Frontlines was created. For the Frontlines was created to provide them with a dedicated messaging service where they can directly connect with a Crisis Counselor to help them cope with any difficult emotions they are experiencing during coronavirus.
How you can help:
Our thoughts are with our employees, clients and our communities during this unprecedented and difficult time. At this time, more than ever, we are stepping up to engage with our communities and extend relief to those in need in every way we can. We are grateful that our donations will directly support front line medical staff as well as provide food and shelter to families and people who are suffering.
One RBC Approach
Our support of United Way and Crisis Text Line follows previously announced donations by RBC including City National Bank and RBC Wealth Management, totaling over $3 million towards COVID-19 relief in the U.S. We will continue to work with our community partners, subject matter experts, and the public and private sectors to understand and determine where the greatest community needs are and how to continue delivering the right support where it’s needed most.