#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. PULSE will be participating and we are looking forward to your support! Throughout the days leading up to #GivingTuesdayNow, we’ll be sharing out about some of our fellows and Nonprofit Partners helping during this challenging time and how you can continue to support our mission. Learn more about PULSE Fellow Erin Zehr and the work she’s doing with Nonprofit Partner Global Links during this challenging time.
PULSE: What role are you/your nonprofit playing in supporting community members during the pandemic?
Erin: Global Links is a humanitarian medical aid organization. During the pandemic, they are leading a collaborative effort to locally source and manufacture face masks and face shields and provide gloves, gowns, disinfectants and other protective medical supplies for distribution to local safety net organizations and other nonprofits to protect their workers and the vulnerable communities in their care. These organizations are doing critical work to support seniors, low income, homeless and other vulnerable populations and it is vital to equip them to do so as safely as possible.
PULSE: How would you say you/your role is helping the organization respond to these pandemic challenges?
Erin: As Global Links has pivoted its work to focus mainly on equipping local safety net organizations, I have completed a wide variety of tasks related to communications and engagement work, fundraising, and collecting and organizing information for the organization. In my work, I do my best to help things run smoothly and to support my coworkers who have many new decisions and projects to tackle.
PULSE: What are you learning/have you learned in this role?
Erin: Global Links has 30 years of experience in managing and distributing donations of health care supplies and dealing with various natural disasters and health crises and so I am learning about the best ways to navigate in times of crisis. I have been impressed by the flexibility and creativity as the organization pivoted their work, and I have witnessed the importance of incredibly informed and careful decision making and collaboration during times of crisis. It has been really motivating to see and be a part of work that is driven by such a deep dedication to the well-being of this community.
Help us continue to “cultivate a community of young servant leaders to transform Pittsburgh” by contributing to our Give Big Pittsburgh COVID-19 Response fundraiser! Every little bit helps us reach our $5,000 goal!