While we are physically apart during this public health emergency, it can be challenging to find information and resources that keep us connected with our Quaker spiritual family or with the social, health, and economic supports that we need. Here are some connections that might be useful. Below, you will find online worship possibilities, followed by links to resources and support services that we may need during this emergency.
Quaker Worship
Red Cedar Friends – Sunday & Wednesday Worship
We have an opportunity for Red Cedar Friends to worship through Zoom at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. If you would like to join us, please drop a note through our Contact page and we will give more information.
Pendle Hill – daily worship
A handful of Pendle Hill residents continue to gather daily in the Barn – from 8:30-9:10 a.m. Eastern Time. They have started an experiment of opening the circle of worship to YOU in your home. You can join via Zoom here,
Lake Erie Yearly Meeting – First Day worship
LEYM invites Friends to gather Sundays at 10 a.m. Eastern Time to Worship online – get connection info here.
Friendly Connections
Our monthly meeting offers a Red Cedar Friends Meeting Facebook page where all seekers can find updates regarding worship, special events, etc.
We also have two closed Facebook groups that Friends can join by application. The Red Cedar Friends Meeting Group is a good place to make connections and post information of special interest to RCF Friends. And the RCF Social Hall is a brand new venue where RCF Friends can chat more informally.
Coronavirus Resource List – MidMichigan
The most up-to-date and accurate information about COVID-19 or Coronavirus can be found through local health departments and the CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Coronavirus Updates
Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Ingham County Health Department
http://hd.ingham.org/DepartmentalDirectory/CommunicableDisease/Coronavirus(COVID19).aspx
Michigan Health and Human Services Department https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
Lansing Area Information
https://www.lansing.org/covid-19/
COVID 19 Screening Sites
If you are concerned that you may have contracted COVID-19 you should first call your healthcare provider. It is recommended that you start with a call, not an in-person visit. If you do not have a healthcare provider, and have health questions about the coronavirus call the Michigan COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-535-6136. Additional information can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/
Ingham County Health Department has activated a COVID-19 phone tree to help field COVID-19 calls to the appropriate individual. The ICHD COVID-19 hotline number is 517-887-4517.
Assistance for Seniors
If you are a senior living in Ingham County, Eaton, or Clinton area, you can contact the Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-11440 or by visiting them at https://www.tcoa.org/. TCOA can connect seniors with Meals on Wheels, among other services.
Meridian Township Senior Watch https://www.meridian.mi.us/Home/Components/News/News/4424/?backlist=%2fresidents%2fcovid-19-information
Food Resources
The easiest way to locate your nearest Emergency Food Resources is to dial 2-1-1 on a telephone. This will connect you to a United Way 2-1-1 call center location. The operator will ask you a few basic questions (family size, location, etc.) and provide you with the nearest food distribution location. Individuals and families in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee will connect to Central Michigan 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or by calling 866-561-2500.
Lansing Area Food Bank:
https://greaterlansingfoodbank.org/coronavirus
Ingham County Area Food Resources: https://redcedarfriendsblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/food-resources.pdf
Transportation
Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA)
Regular-route bus service is suspended. Customers in need of free curb-to-curb rides should call 517-999-2549. Website: https://www.cata.org/
Community Mental Health
COVID-19 Support Line
Housing Resource
Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP’s) office will be closed to the public until April 13, 2020. CAHP will be open remotely during that time and answering phone calls at 517-332-4663 Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm. Additional information for both home owners and renters can be found at: https://www.capitalareahousing.org/covid-19-housing-guide
State Emergency Relief Program
The State Emergency Relief (SER) Program provides immediate help to individuals and families facing conditions of extreme hardship or for emergencies that threaten health and safety. Through a combination of direct financial assistance and contracts with a network of non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army and local Community Action Organizations, SER helps low-income households meet emergency needs such as: Heat & Utilities, Home Repairs, Relocation Assistance, Home Ownership Services, and burial services for low income individuals. https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5531-15407–,00.html
Unemployment Assistance
Website for Unemployment:
https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97241—,00.html
Step by Step Guide:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/uia/127_-_filing_for__receiving_ui_benefits_278807_7.pdf
Small Businesses
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) call center stands ready to support businesses looking for assistance through other available state programs. For more information, visit MEDC’s at https://www.michiganbusiness.org/covid19/ or call 888-522-0103. The Michigan Small Business Development Center can also provide resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. For additional information, please visit their website https://sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19/.
Tax Filing Deadline
U.S.Treasury Secretary Mnuchin announced that the U.S. government will postpone the April 15 federal tax-payment deadline to July 15, 2020. Additional information can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
Consumer Protection
The Governor issued an executive order on March 15 to protect consumers against price gouging during the crisis. You can report potential price-gouging to the Michigan Attorney General https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-82915_82919_86407—,00.html or by calling 877-765-8388.
Additional Resources
Harvard Business Review: That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief: https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29&fbclid=IwAR0DgAJPFcq2IOS7gmu_gzxKmCOKuuKT5cmAFoPXQBPc-F2DKlkIwt2XP30
COVID-19 Plain Language Information and Informational Resources for Children and Families
SAMHSA: Talking With Children During Infectious Disease Outbreaks:
SAMHSA: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During Social Isolation:
https://files.constantcontact.com/1d55e3a9601/802eba19-48d4-4d69-b65f-50256fd8ccdd.pdf
Mental Health America: Mental Health and COVID-19 Info. and Resources:
https://mhanational.org/covid19
Mental Health America: Social Support – Getting and Staying Connected https://mhanational.org/stay-connected
NAMI: Frequently Asked Questions on Mental Health, Mental Illness, and COVID-19:
Resources Compiled by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, U.S. House of Representatives
Essential official information and resources for her Mid-Michigan constituents.
Red Cedar Friends Meeting 