CONTENTS MESA CARES
Program Overview Community Assessment Resource and Call Center
FEEDING MESA
Food Box Distribution Canned Food Drives Prepared Meal Distribution Adopt-A-Grandparent
UTILITY ASSISTANCE EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT Reemergence Grants Technical Assistance Mesa Al Fresco
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR MESA STUDENTS PUBLIC SAFETY
Mesa Fire and Medical Department Mesa Police Department Operation off the Streets
MESA CARES
The City of Mesa received federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide financial relief to address community impacts due to the public health emergency COVID-19. The City of Mesa launched the Mesa CARES initiative in an effort to connect individuals, families, and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to available resources. The majority of Mesa CARES programs were created and offered between March and December 2020 in response to community needs.
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
COMMUNITY CONCERN MESA CARES PROGRAM
Feeding Mesa Adopt-a-Grandparent
COMMUNITY CONCERN
Hundreds of City employees from many different City departments were redirected to make calls and jumped in right away to reach out to determine residents' needs. As staff worked from home due to office closures, home offices became the City call center.
Access AccesstotoFood Food
Assistance with Rent, Utilities, and Access to Food Unemployment
MESA CARES PROGRAM
The data collected from the assessments was used to decide federal funding priorities resulting in the creation of Mesa CARES programs and the redirection of Community Development Block Grant funds to support mortgage/rental assistance and local organizations.
COMMUNITY CONCERNS TRANSFORMED INTO MESA CARES PROGRAMS
Utility Assistance Eviction/Foreclosure Prevention
COMMUNITY CONCERN
2,510
SURVEYS COLLECTED OVER 3 DAYS: APRIL 6-8, 2020
Slower Business Sales and Reduction Access to Foodin Operations/Closures
MESA CARES PROGRAM
The Mesa CARES Community Assessment was created to capture information from Mesa residents, organizations, and businesses to better understand their needs related to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding community needs was important in the early stages of the pandemic when it became clear that Mesa was eligible to receive federal CARES funding to support community needs. A total of 3,585 outgoing calls were made to residents, businesses, and organizations.
Restaurant Buyout Small Business Grants and Tech Assistance
MESA CARES RESOURCE & CALL CENTER In the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, the pressing need to provide direct community assistance to residents of the City of Mesa was clear. The Mesa CARES Resource and Call Center was set up, with Mesa Public Library staff as information specialists, to help answer COVID-19 related questions and guide Mesa community members in finding essential local services such as food, utility and rental support, and employment resources. The Call Center team offered everything from a friendly ear for isolated seniors, to technical expertise for small business owners completing the Mesa CARES Business Reemergence Grant online form, and Mesa residents seeking assistance through the Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program.
AT-A-GLANCE
3,067
9,390
457
OUTGOING CALLS
INCOMING CALLS
SPANISHLANGUAGE CALLS
Through December 2020. Click to view more at data.mesaaz.gov
In April, staff made 536 outbound calls to spread the word and offer flyers for distribution. In two weeks a team of seven delivered 3,000 flyers to all corners of Mesa and 50 additional local businesses were emailed flyers.
"This is a really nice call. I really like it that the city is reaching out and doing this. I really appreciate it. I have felt really stressed out about the virus, but the outreach tells me that the City is actually doing something about the crisis. Thank you so much!"
Mesa resident receiving assessment call, April 2020
FEEDING MESA
3.73 MILLION MEALS FOR MESA FAMILIES
As residents faced empty grocery shelves and felt the economic impact of COVID-19, many named access to basic food supplies as their top concern. Feeding Mesa programs were quickly created to address residents’ highest priority by providing nutritious food and prepared meals to the community through collaborative partnerships with existing services, nonprofits, and Mesabased restaurants.
12345 STAFF HOURS CONTRIBUTED TO FEEDING MESA
FEEDING MESA PROGRAMS
FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION DRIVE-THROUGH CANNED FOOD DRIVES PREPARED MEAL DISTRIBUTION ADOPT-AGRANDPARENT
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS MAKE FEEDING MESA A REALITY
FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION
CONVENTION CENTER OR FOOD DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE?
In the face of unprecedented need, the Mesa Convention Center was quickly repurposed into a food distribution warehouse and the parking lot transformed into a no-contact drive-through center for food boxes. Mesa employees, thousands of volunteers, United Way AmeriCorps Members, and the National Guard helped to make this effort a reality. This program supported and increased the efforts already being provided by food banks, volunteers, and other nonprofits.
AT-A-GLANCE
66.2K
1,408
4.25M
HOUSEHOLDS SERVED
AVERAGE WEEKLY HOUSEHOLDS SERVED
POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED
Through December 2020. Click to view more at data.mesaaz.gov
DRIVE-THROUGH CANNED FOOD DRIVES To increase food bank supplies and serve the needs of the community, canned food drives became a weekly occurrence throughout the city. Employees and community volunteers coordinated and executed the food drives that support United Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank. POUNDS OF FOOD
30,500
COLLECTED
Through December 2020. Click to view more at data.mesaaz.gov
How do you feed a community? Feeding Mesa Weekly Food Box Distribution Process
D AY 1 :
D AY 2 :
Receive United Food Bank bulk delivery weekly at Mesa Convention Center.
OUR CO M
r P o duce h s e r F
MU
Y
D AY 3 :
Mesa residents arrive to receive food boxes. This team effort includes Mesa employees, Fire & Police Officers, volunteers & National Guard members managing long lines of cars and getting foods to thousands of people during scorching summer temperatures.
Me
as W
CONVENTION CENTER
Br
IT
at s
E x tr Masks and gloves are used to load food boxes into cars for families through a safe, no-contact process.
N
ins /Gra ead
Juic e
N
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U
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Mesa employees, volunteers, & United Way AmeriCorps Members prepare food for Mesa families, separating food into household sized boxes while observing health, safety & social distancing standards.
HA
D air y T’S
IN A FOOD
BO
X?
Hello, how many households are represented in your vehicle?
WELCOME 1
1
The # of households being served is placed on each car's windshield to inform the distribution team.
PREPARED MEAL DISTRIBUTION The Restaurant Buy Out Program was created to generate additional business for Mesa restaurants by purchasing fresh meals from restaurants for local frontline healthcare workers. In addition, meals were prepared daily in the Mesa Convention Center kitchen by Personal Touch Catering with the help of Mesa employees. Waste Not delivered the meals to organizations such as Paz de Cristo and St. Vincent de Paul to distribute to those in need.
61,200+
Thank you for the amazing food delivery today for our everyday heroes!
RESTAURANT MEALS PURCHASED AND DISTRIBUTED
– Kristie Larsen, Executive Director Fellowship Square Historic Mesa
Through December 2020. Click to view more at data.mesaaz.gov
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
134K CATERED MEALS WERE SERVED TO 62 HEALTHCARE AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
12 West
Hub Grill (Stapley)
Salvadoreño #1
3 Taquitos On The Go
JJ Madison’s
Sassy’s Café & Bakery
Amicis Pizza
Knuckle Sandwiches
Serranos Mexican Food
Artistic Touch Catering
La Merced Restaurant
Backyard Taco
Mr. Pancho Mexican Food
Steak and Stone Steakhouse & BBQ
Boca Taqueria
MV Snacks & Sushi
Café 8
Nando's Mexican Cafe
Carne Asada Grill
On The Green Sports Grill
Carolina’s Mexican Food
Pacino’s Italian Restaurant
Casa Blanca
Papa Kelsey’s
Creative Hands Cuisine
Personal Touch Catering
Downtown Rendezvous
Que Chevere
Gilded Gatherings
Red, White & Brew
Green Corner Restaurant
Rosa's Mexican Grill
Handlebar Diner
Salsita’s
Straight to the Plate Catering The Nile Coffee Shop Toh Zan Nagasaki Grill UnPhogettable Venezia’s Pizzeria Vito’s Pizza & Ristorante Waldo’s BBQ What the Hell Bar & Grill Worth Takeaway
ADOPT-AGRANDPARENT Who does one turn to when you need food but have health concerns and difficulty leaving your home? Mesa CARES found a creative solution to help those most in need, thanks to an idea from Mayor John Giles. A collaborative effort with For Our City, City of Mesa volunteers, and several organizations such as Mesa United Way, Mesa Rotary, Midwest Food Bank, and United Food Bank, the program provides assistance to vulnerable seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AT-A-GLANCE
154 VOLUNTEERS
7,690+ 223 HOURS OF SERVICE
SENIORS ASSISTED Through December 2020.
D Deliver weekly food boxes D Schedule prescription drop-offs D Provide well-being check-ins D Deliver a favorite candy bar or book to read D Befriend isolated seniors D Create lasting relationships
– from an Alma Meadows resident
UTILITY ASSISTANCE COVID-19 impacted employment and economic viability for families across Mesa. In recognition of these challenges, the City's energy and water resources departments made the important decision to keep electric, gas and water services flowing to customers despite any delinquent accounts. City residential utility shut-offs were suspended from March 2020 to October 2020. The City of Mesa partnered with A New Leaf’s Mesa Community Action Network (Mesa CAN) to deliver utility assistance to Mesa residents unable to pay their utility bills due to COVID-19.
$590 8,750
AVERAGE UTILITY PAYMENT AMOUNT PROVIDED TO MESA RESIDENTS
APPLICANTS ASSISTED Through December 2020. Click to view more at data.mesaaz.gov
"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for addressing my concern and providing the funding for my very past due water/gas bill. I intend to from here on out, keep my bill in good standing with the City of Mesa....you definitely went above and beyond to help." Valerie M Utility Assistance recipient
EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION During the pandemic the importance of safe, stable housing was paramount. Extra time at home became the norm, while rising unemployment and underemployment started impacting families across Mesa. As temporary state and federal eviction moratoriums were enacted, the City of Mesa used CARES and other federal funding to create eviction and foreclosure prevention programs to help Mesa residents keep their homes. The City partnered with A New Leaf’s Mesa Community Action Network (Mesa CAN), in addition to engaging a dedicated team of employees, to deliver housing payment assistance for Mesa residents behind on rent and mortgage payments due to COVID-19.
$3,875 1,729
AVERAGE HOUSING PAYMENT ASSISTANCE APPLICANTS ASSISTED Through December 2020.
“We are beyond grateful and blessed for all your care assistance time and efforts!!! This is a humbling experience for us all and just can't thank you all enough!!" Eviction Prevention Program recipient
SMALL BUSINESS REEMERGENCE Mesa CARES Small Business Reemergence Programs deliver critical support to Mesa small businesses through a financial grants program, technical assistance program, and marketing campaigns.
“Small local businesses are really the backbone of our community. We’ve got some world class employers and businesses in Mesa, but really the bulk of our economy is directly tied to small business. We need to be very aware of that. Those are the businesses that are most at-risk during an economic downturn. I think it’s been smart government to get engaged and to help these businesses. To make sure they’re going to be here on the end of this downturn of the economy tied to the pandemic.” –Mayor John Giles
SMALL BUSINESS REEMERGENCE GRANTS Following a robust outreach effort to Mesa small business, more than 525 businesses received financial grants to go toward utility and rent expenses. The outreach efforts included multilingual materials to make grants more accessible to a diverse array of small business owners.
AT-A-GLANCE
$4.35M GRANTS PROVIDED TO 525 SMALL BUSINESSES Through December 8, 2020. Click to view more at data.mesaaz.gov
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Mesa CARES Technical Assistance Program was created to provide support to businesses in need of new education and resources to deal with the economic impacts of the pandemic. This program delivered thousands of consulting hours and program dollars, and assisted hundreds of businesses, nonprofits, vendors, and suppliers. Of 250+ participants: • 100 businesses received Personal Protective Equipment packages valued at nearly $45K • 75 received signage packages totaling at more than $35K • 75 businesses received websites or e-commerce services valued at more than $100K • 30 businesses received computer literacy training (10 offered in Spanish) • Computer literacy participants, many of whom had never owned a computer, received a laptop and Microsoft Office suite subscription A robust offering of more than 70 webinars were provided and offered in multiple languages including English, Spanish, and Chinese. PARTNERS
250+
BUSINESSES PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Through December 8, 2020. Click to view more at data.mesaaz.gov
“I believe this program helped save my business. I now have a small network of knowledgeable people I can ask business questions and get advice anytime. So many experienced people willing to help. This has been a fantastic experience.” – Technical Assistance Program Participant
MESA AL FRESCO Bouncing back from closures due to COVID-19, Mesa’s restaurants and bars needed creativity and alternative approaches to keep their doors open. The Mesa Al Fresco program offers a microgrant of up to $1,000 for restaurants and bars to expand dining outdoors. The funding could be used for tables, chairs, umbrellas, lighting and temporary fencing. Mayor John Giles said of the program, "As the weather cools down, the Al Fresco program allows Mesa restaurants to expand service areas outdoors, to serve more customers and provide more dining options."
AT-A-GLANCE
41 GRANTS
$20,000 INVESTED IN RESTAURANTS Through December 8, 2020.
City staff from numerous departments worked to create a streamlined process to approve expansion of premises requests. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), social distancing, and other safety requirements are required to participate in the program.
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR MESA STUDENTS The City of Mesa has connected Mesa students with access to technology and reliable internet services. Through this program, 9,400 K-6th grade Mesa students have received laptops to continue learning from home. WiFi hotspots and internet subscription services are also provided to those in need.
5,500+
9,420
LAPTOPS FOR MESA STUDENTS Through August 2020
FAMILIES ASSISTED WITH INTERNET ACCESS Through August 2020.
“Access to the internet and devices such as laptops is a huge equalizer, not only for learning but also for access to services provided in our community for students and their families. This program to help K-6 students and their families is much needed and greatly appreciated.” Dr. Andi Fourlis, Mesa Public Schools Superintendent
WHY LAPTOPS AND INTERNET? These resources play a vital role in allowing teachers and students to connect, facilitating communication between counselors and social workers with families, and helping families access social services via online applications as they navigate the economic and social/emotional impacts of COVID-19.
OTHER WAYS MESA IS SUPPORTING ITS STUDENTS Mesa CARES funding provides hygiene supplies for Mesa Public Schools students experiencing homelessness, and supports the AZ Brain Food program which provides 2,500 weekend food bags equaling 17,500 meals to Mesa students at risk of hunger.
MESA FIRE AND MEDICAL DEPARTMENT The hallmark of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department (MFMD) is the notion that both civilian and sworn members will serve stakeholders with Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Fire Chief Mary Cameli will confidently challenge anyone to ask any department employee what the mission statement is, and it is guaranteed they will respond with, “To Serve with CARE.”
“The hallmark of our organization is the notion that our civilians and sworn members will serve our stakeholders with Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.” Under this principle, MFMD’s first step in responding to the impact of Covid-19, was the opening of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in mid-March. Concurrently, the department participated in frequent conversations on a local, statewide, and national level, regarding issues about Mesa’s businesses and public safety’s role in the pandemic.
PUBLIC SAFETY SYMPOSIUM VIA ZOOM On May 4th, 2020 the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Mesa Fire and Medical Department, and the Mesa Police Department hosted a public safety symposium featuring President and CEO of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce Sally Harrison, Chief of Police Ken Cost, and Fire Chief Mary Cameli.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT For MFMD, getting access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was challenging at times but also showed how a community can come together to support public safety and one another. Multiple local businesses donated surgical masks. Community groups, family members, volunteers, library staff, and fire department members designed and donated cotton masks. Donations were made available to members and city department partners providing a way to avoid burning through the much needed, medical-grade N-95 masks for fire operations personnel responding to 911 calls for service.
MESA FIRE AND MEDICAL'S WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT The Warehouse Management area is the repository for all materials related to PPE, cleaning and disinfectant materials, and supplies. The department tracked usage in the form of maintaining daily usage or “burn rates� to track prospective needs.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER For the City of Mesa, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) serves as the coordination hub for incident response. In this case, it is the central coordination point for all COVID-19 operations, information gathering, and dissemination. The EOC is involved in collaborating with local governments, outside contractors, and mutual aid and volunteer organizations to direct our COVID-19 incident management efforts. This facility is equipped with effective technology that provides a central intelligence arena for response team personnel and decisionmakers to coordinate response activities and manage personnel as the emergency dictates.
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES As Mesa Public Schools returned to in-person classes, Mesa CARES flu shots and COVID-19 testing events were offered. Over 5 consecutive weekends, 862 COVID-19 tests and 1,724 flu shots were provided. Testing events were offered in five zip codes that were experiencing higher positive testing rates at the time of this program offering.
862
COVID TESTS PROVIDED
1,724
FLU SHOTS PROVIDED The City of Mesa purchased 1M masks to distribute to employees and community members at events including the Healthy Community testing days.
RESPONDING TO A 9-1-1 CALL FOR SERVICE The Mesa community is still in need of day-to-day services via the police, fire, and 911 systems. The public’s need for public safety services outside of COVID-19 related calls have been a vast majority of the call volume for MFMD. Firefighters are also healthcare providers. For MMFD, responding to a potential infectious exposure call meant that every call needed to be treated as if there were the potential for exposure. Therefore, different levels of personal protective care are required for all patient interactions.
“… responding to a potential infectious exposure call meant that we had to treat every call we went on as a potential for exposure.”
STAYING CONNECTED WITH OUR COMMUNITY MMFD crews find great joy in supporting their community. From participating in driveby graduations and birthday parties, to taking part in neighborhood parades, being socially present was one way to give those of all ages a sense of normalcy during these trying times.
SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM RESPONSE TO COVID-19 Despite physical distancing being the new norm, MFMD did not want to distance itself socially from patients or our community. The Social Services Division continued supporting past and current patients who were referred by crews that recognized areas of wellness, safety, or health concerns in them that would not be solved by the 911 system. The program was adapted to stay connected through telephonic wellness checks.
MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT The mission of the Mesa Police Department is to partner with our community to prevent and reduce crime by building trust, showing respect, and preserving human rights. The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it new and unique challenges to keeping employees and citizens safe while serving the community. MESSAGE FROM MESA POLICE CHIEF KEN COST Chief Ken Cost continues to share concern about safety at home, especially as residents are more limited during stay at home orders. Mesa Police is monitoring the instances of domestic violence, especially as more people of all ages are staying home.
ADAPTING OPERATIONS In mid-March, Mesa Police restricted access to the police stations’ lobbies and shifted to encourage use of online services. Patrol briefings also changed out of necessity. Social distancing moved meetings outdoors and officers had to get creative. Temperature checks also became a regular part of reporting to work, and any signs or symptoms of illness were taken very seriously and approached with great caution. Face masks were immediately employed as a safety measure. Any time an officer or Mesa Police employee interacts with the public or other employees, face masks are required. 911 operators are now trained to ask if there is any risk of COVID-19 in the household: any fever cough, or difficulty breathing. This is asked on any call where the officer will be making contact with a citizen, and allows the officers to properly prepare prior to going on scene. Mesa Police Department is doing everything possible to limit the spread of COVID-9 amongst our officers and citizens.
OPERATION OFF THE STREETS Operation Off The Streets was created to offer transitional housing, food from Feeding Mesa programs, counseling, and other support services for people experiencing homelessness. This program showcases an innovative collaboration led by Mesa Police Department with social service partner Community Bridges, Inc, and local hotels.
AT-A-GLANCE
PROGRAM GOALS:
DProtect vulnerable individuals from contracting and spreading COVID-19 DProvide a safe place to live and sleep DGive access to food boxes DDeliver social services support DTransition participants to self-sufficient permanent housing
363
68
188
ADULTS SERVED
CHILDREN SERVED
INDIVIDUALS GRADUATED TO PERMANENT HOUSING
Through December 2020. Click to view more at data.mesaaz.gov
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS While COVID-19 presented challenges in continuing the tradition of taking part in special community events, community connection continued. Special events like birthdays, anniversaries and graduations called for car parades, socially-distanced songs, and delivered boxes of treasures or needed items to brighten someone’s day.
GOING THE DISTANCE
Mesa PD demonstrates social distancing in the community.
Youth Development Officers assist Mesa United Way with its 12 Books program in distributing free books to students in 1st-3rd grade at Holmes Elementary School. The 12 Books program helps fight summer learning loss.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Mesa Police and Mesa Fire & Medical committed to honoring healthcare workers through #SOLIDARITYat8, asking everyone to open their windows or step outside on a balcony to cheer for healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic. Officers also regularly made stops at Banner Samaritan, Banner Baywood, Banner Gateway, and other medical facilities, honking horns, and flashing lights to show support and appreciation for health care workers.
In April 2020, the Chinese American COVID-19 Relief AZ group donated 5,000 masks to Mesa police officers and an additional 2,000 to firefighters. Other donations were received from The Home Depot and The Arizona Korean Association.
Mesa PD teamed up with Resurrection Street Ministry to deliver food boxes to seniors and veterans.
