Homelessness Hotline:
Dear Downtown San Antonians,
Like you, we have been listening, learning and adapting to the facts surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Our colleagues in other cities have been extremely helpful in providing insights and best practices which we are adopting. And, we are working closely with the City and many other partners to stay coordinated, responsive and impactful.
Out of an abundance of caution for the health of our employees and the community in which we live and serve, Centro’s 110 Broadway headquarters went virtual beginning March 12, 2020 and will remain so until facts and circumstances warrant bringing everyone back together. Though our physical office may be closed, we are still open for business and are 100% operational. If you must meet us in person, we will accommodate you using best practices according to the CDC.
Similarly, we have redesigned our Operations office and the way in which all the Ambassadors work in order to minimize any possible exposure or spread, while delivering priority services to you, our residents and visitors. Top of the priority list is cleanliness and safety. In addition to practicing social distancing, we are redirecting many of our staff to clean and disinfect high touch areas such as crosswalk buttons, doorknobs, scooter handles and bus stops. We will do extra cleaning near high risk areas like retirement homes and hospitals. We are also going to power wash sidewalks in high trafficked areas with additional bleach.
We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of any new developments which affect the Centro PID and our broader downtown community. With all our hearts and positive wishes, we wish all of you the best during these uncertain and trying times. We appreciate your partnership, and we want to affirm our allegiance to you. If you need anything or have recommendations of how we can do better, please do not hesitate to reach out by phone or email as you normally would.
Sincerely,
Matt Brown
CEO
Covid-19 Resources
Center for Disease Control
The purpose of the Coronavirus Self-Checker is to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care. This system is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of disease or other conditions, including COVID-19.
Resources
The most comprehensive small business assistance network in the US.
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Guidance Letter for Businesses
Resources for Artists + Arts Organizations
Supporting our Entrepreneurial Community
Provides small business lending to those who do not have access to capital from typical lenders, such as traditional banks.
The San Antonio Area Foundation helps donors achieve their charitable goals for the greater benefit of the community.
SA Chamber Corona Virus Rapid Response
Employer Questions, Unemployment Questions, Job Seekers
Coronavirus Response Toolkit
Disaster Assistance Response for COVID-19
One-on-one Confidential Consulting
We've collected some resources for our service industry and Main Street businesses, including how you can help support them.
Download your own Posters!
Click to see the full design:
Residents Resources
Opt-in for the latest local updates on COVID-19 or access local resources below:
Download the Ready South Texas app: iTunes or Google Play
Text COSAGOV to 55000 to receive SMS updates
Follow on Twitter: @SAMetroHealth and @COSAGov
Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness
Homeless Food Resources:
Text the word ‘safe‘ to 4HELP (44357)
Roy Maas Youth Alternatives 24/7 Hotline for Youth: 210-340-8090
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838
Experiences + Wellness
Manage Anxiety & Stress – CDC
National Alliance on Mental Illness – COVID-19 Guide
AFSP Article – “Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty”
How you Can Help
United Way
San Antonio Food Bank
Nonprofit Support
The Non-Profit Council is hosting the Big Give Emergency Relief platform to support non-profits. Please donate here >>
The City partnered with the San Antonio Area Foundation and is accepting donations to the City’s Risk Mitigation Fund that support individuals and families that need assistance with rent and other housing expenses. To donate please email COVID19@saafdn.org.
Please specify in the email that you are interested in donating to the City’s Risk Mitigation Fund.
The City is accepting donations only from commercial enterprises of unopened cleaning supplies to include hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, nitrile gloves, and bleach. These supplies will support our first responders and public facing services.
To donate please email covid.cleaningsupplies@sanantonio.gov.
US Interagency Council on Homelessness
Coordinate and catalyze the federal response to homelessness, working in close partnership with senior leaders across our 19 federal member agencies.
National Health Care for the Homeless Council
The premier national organization working at the nexus of homelessness and health care.
Centro Homeless Outreach Donations
Centro San Antonio is requesting the help of all San Antonians to support an initiative to feed our Downtown homeless and transient population during COVID-19.
Centro San Antonio Covid-19 Response Timeline
Centro San Antonio Ambassadors
Outreach Amabassadors
- Provided social distancing support to the Alamo
- Preparation begins for expanding and modifying homeless outreach.
Centro HQ team starts working remote
Downtown Collaboration Team
First call with the DCT to share and discuss latest plans and strategies for managing through health and financial crisis, with an extra focus on “reopening” downtown as beginning of recovery and renewed growth over time. By extension, this may relate to other regional business centers.
COVID-19 webpage goes live
- Communications pivot to safety and small business support
Expand Social Media Channels
Fundraising
Centro began raising funds to support homeless & small business initiatives
- Homelessness: raised $3,000
Haven for Hope Closes to New Clients
Safety precautions taken to minimize the spread of COVID-19
Getting Safer + Cleaner
- Nighttime surveillance added to increase safety & security
- All pressure washing conducted during the day to increase efficiency, safety, and completeness
- Outreach Ambassadors, in coordination with Corazon Ministries, deliver meals and provide hygiene kits to homeless.
- Deep cleaning gum spot removal begins
- Ambassadors deemed essential services
Texas PIDs / BIDs
Outreach Ambassadors
Sí Se Puede Launch
Sí Se Puede billboards live around the city displaying a message of hope. San Antonians to create their own versions of Sí Se Puede on social media outlets
#SiSePuedeSA
Small Business Support
- Main Street business webpage live
- Ambassadors getting daily info on small businesses
- Coordination with Visit SA
- Regular communications connecting small businesses to resources
- Daily communications to promote curbside, take-out and other open businesses
IDA | COVID-19
Small Business Bingo
- Encourages community to eat local
- Incentivize participation while supporting local restaurants
Outreach Ambassadors
Contact Centro
Do you have questions for our team, or would you like to send a message to our hard-working Ambassadors? You can reach us through a form below.
Questions + Comments
Letters to Downtown
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