The LERN: a community collaboration to get resources to those who need them most
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to take shape in mid-March, a few local organizations realized having a clear way to communicate and respond to urgent requests was going to be critical to support local agencies. The LERN (Lane Emergency Response Network) was quickly launched in response to this need.
The LERN is a newly formed text-based alert system that allows Lane County nonprofit “advocates” to submit urgent requests to a wide network of “providers” around the county. Whether the request is to provide sleeping bags to shelters, clothing to families, or connect food banks with more volunteers, this new network of partners and a repurposed technology tool are filling urgent needs around Lane County - in a matter of seconds.
The LERN is a joint effort of 15th Night partners, COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) members, Lane County, PacificSource Community Solutions, Trillium Community Health Plans and United Way of Lane County - that joined together to respond to the needs of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonprofits can request volunteers, as well as in-kind donations on behalf of specific clients, or on behalf of their organization as a whole. Upon receiving the text alert, providers representing a variety of public, private, and social sectors can instantly respond if they can fulfill the need. So far, LERN’s text alert system has filled over 60 requests, including cloth masks for shelters, household items for families in transitional housing, and sleeping bags for an emergency respite shelter. Most recently, Burley delivered a bike trailer to a family needing transportation options, a connection made possible through the LERN.
“When we ran into a critical supply shortage at one of our sites, the Lane Emergency Resource Network came through for us, providing what we needed where we needed it, we greatly appreciate the teamwork and community partnership facilitated through the system.” - Heather Sielicki, Operations Coordinator, White Bird Clinic
This new network was formed in early Spring when, anticipating the high volume of needs that would arise from the COVID-19 pandemic, members of COAD started to centralize a wide, well-resourced network of providers, ready to respond to the needs of nonprofits and their clients. During that time, 15th Night stepped forward with technology to automate and streamline the process. By adapting 15th Night’s text-alert technology, LERN was able to connect those local nonprofits and the individuals that they serve—with the people and organizations that could fill their in-kind needs.
“The 15th Night Rapid Access Network (RAN) system was developed in 2016 to help connect homeless students to resources and services in real time. We have always believed the RAN could be utilized for other purposes and now we know it can.” - Megan Schultz, 15th Night Coordinator
The LERN also has a “community responder” role for individual volunteers interested in helping out. Community responders receive alerts for specific volunteer needs - for instance, delivery of a prescription or food box - which are then filled based on which community responder is able to meet the need most efficiently. United Way of Lane County President and CEO Noreen J. Dunnells interviewed Megan Shultz of 15th Night about this partnership on May 13, watch the interview here.
Community Responder Eric Richardson of Eugene/Springfield NAACP with mask donations
“As we adjust to our new daily lives and to a new normal, ways to volunteer are adjusting, too. Being a Community Responder gives volunteers the chance to help local agencies and individuals in need simply via text message. Recently, an organization sent an alert requesting 50 fabric masks needed to open a new temporary emergency youth shelter. An alert was sent out to all Community Responders and within 20 minutes, three Community Responders replied, including Eric Richardson of Eugene/Springfield NAACP, indicating they could donate more than enough masks to open the youth shelter.” - Alexis Amavisca, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, United Way of Lane County
While the LERN is set up to connect social service providers and clients, additional new resources are emerging to meet the needs of the community. A new resource map created by United Way of Lane County has also been developed to outline the other resources available, including the Lane County Mutual Aid Network – which focuses on neighbors helping neighbors – and LaneKids, a resource guide for families with children.
For information about participating in the LERN as an advocate or provider: contact Megan Shultz at Megan@mshconsultingnw.com.
Individuals wanting to sign up as Community Responders: learn more at www.volunteeruwlane.org/covid19ran.
The LERN (Lane Emergency Response Network) is a collaboration of 15th Night, Oregon Social Learning Center, White Bird Clinic, PacificSource, Trillium, United Way of Lane County, Lane County, and the Lane COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster). As of May 14, 2020, the network consists of 72 providers, 89 advocates, and 134 community responders.