With every call, the Social Bridging Project assured Californians facing adversity: “You Are Not Alone.”
By re-engineering tech and tools usually used for voter engagement, our callers, known as Bridgers, connected the most vulnerable Californians with government resources, emergency alerts and other life-changing—and lifesaving—referrals. With innovation and heart, Bridgers rose to meet 2020’s historic confluence of pandemic, economic and wildfire disasters.
2020 Achievements Report
Read more about the accomplishments of the Social Bridging Project in our 2020 Achievements Report.
Disaster Calls
Social Bridgers contacted Californians who are most vulnerable to wildfires and other natural disasters and shared information about how to get free emergency alerts, make an evacuation plan, fill a go bag or stay box with supplies, and reunite with loved ones. Everyone called was offered the free Listos California Disaster Ready Guide to help individuals and families get ready for disasters.
Bridgers used our county disaster directories to get oriented to disaster risks for each county and to refer people to state and local emergency resources. Others may find these directories useful for accessing alerts and readiness resources to prepare for disasters.
A rancher near Salinas worried about evacuation of livestock, due to dicey” travel routes out of his ranch. A Bridger connected him with the SPCA, which assists with large animal evacuations.
An older Madera woman, who lives alone, worried about fleeing a wildfire with her oxygen tank and escaping her garage if the power failed. Our Bridger advised her to leave the garage door open, prepare medication and portable oxygen, and contact 211 and a neighbor to make an evacuation plan right away.
Wellness Calls
Bridgers also conducted wellness checks with older Californians, and others most at risk from COVID-19 and related economic hardships, referring people in need to state and local resources that address food insecurity, housing insecurity, healthcare, mental health and COVID-19 concerns, such as avoiding exposure or getting tested.
Bridgers used our county wellness resource guides to refer people to vetted agencies and programs that meet their needs. Others may find these guides useful for accessing aid and information.
An older woman said our Bridger was the first person to check on her in three months. We gave her the COVID-19 Information Line and 211 to find food delivery options because it is getting more difficult for her to get to the store.
A Holocaust survivor said he gets meals delivered, but otherwise is proudly independent. He is very careful about COVID-19 and doesn’t leave his house. But in chatting with our Bridger, he acknowledged that he doesn’t have anyone left to talk with. After a nice conversation, she shared a referral to the Friendship Line for more companionship calls.
Partners
The Social Bridging Project partnered with thirteen service-driven organizations which provided our Bridgers, who were national service members, community emergency volunteers, college students, state workers and members of nonprofits serving vulnerable populations.
Indigenous Language Outreach
In collaboration with community-based organizations, Listos California provides information about disaster preparedness to immigrant and farmworker communities in their native languages, including video and audio formats for speakers of Indigenous oral languages of Mexico and Central America.
Listas
This first-of-its-kind campaign comes at the start of Women’s History Month, in celebration of the vital role of women in society. This comprehensive outreach effort includes more than 80 pieces of unique digital assets, including social media graphics, informational videos and a page dedicated to honoring women in the household. The Listas campaign will provide the knowledge needed for women to lead their families during natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods and mudslides.
Prepare for Wildfires
The “Prepare for Wildfires Now” campaign ensures that Californians in rural communities are ready for wildfire season. The campaign serves as a reminder to Californians that lush green landscapes caused by a winter of heavy rain can become dangerous fuel for wildfires in high-risk areas. Now is the time to think ahead and take important steps in addressing potential fire challenges, ensuring the safety of their families and communities.
Stay Cool California
The “Stay Cool California” campaign, which will empower communities during long stretches of extreme heat and encourage them to take action to “keep cool” amid spiking temperatures. The campaign will provide Californians with videos, posters, shareable social media graphics, and other collateral to spread the word about the importance of making a plan for heat-related emergencies.
