Kelly Young, creator of the blog, Badassery Life, sat down with Buckingham Foundation’s own Theresa Rhodes to learn how she is working to aid in the fight against Coronavirus.
Who are you serving and how are you serving them during this crisis?
Buckingham Foundation has a commitment to lead with care, compassion and integrity, and we have launched our Buckingham CARES campaign during this challenging time. Internally, we have implemented our Angel Fund, which assists our Buckingham team members with financial grants and donations of paid time off days needed due to emergency and hardship circumstances. We are regularly communicating with our employees to ensure everyone is aware of the Angel Fund and knows how to access this confidential, philanthropic based resource if needed.
Externally, we are serving our neighbors in need and giving back in our communities where we have a significant Buckingham presence. Buckingham Foundation is partnering with The Alexander Hotel to serve as a satellite kitchen for Second Helpings. We are currently preparing, packaging and delivering more than 1,500 meals per week to senior citizens, families and children, and we are prepared to increase those numbers in the coming weeks. In addition to these meals, we are also providing 100+ meals per week to the families of first responders and essential workers through our partnership with downtown Indianapolis YMCA sites, who are providing daycare for these families. The Y team reports that the parents have been so grateful to receive meals to take home with them as they pick their children up at the end of their long day!
We have also just expanded our community outreach efforts, again in partnership with The Alexander, to provide complimentary hotel rooms for dedicated health care workers, including doctors, nurses and first responders, who are unable to return to their homes at the end of their shifts. Buckingham Foundation is covering the cost of these hotel stays, which include free parking and a grab and go breakfast, through at least the end of April. We are also launching similar programs in Nashville, TN, where we will be offering complimentary hotel rooms to health care workers at The Aertson Hotel, and preparing meals for those in need through a partnership with the Henley Nashville restaurant and the Nashville Food Project.
We are supporting our local arts community with contributions to the Indy Arts & Culture COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund and through discussions with our friends at Big Car on how we can be a resource. In addition to these programs, we have increased our financial support for Gleaners Food Bank, to help them expand their Family Meal Box program. We are also keeping in touch with other current grantees, and have provided cases of toilet paper and grocery gift cards to several organizations who are working with our most vulnerable populations.
Have you added, changed or deleted any services because of COVID-19?
We have accelerated our grant giving as outlined above, and will continue to be proactive in identifying and implementing projects that support our communities in significant, hands on ways. We are continuing to have conversations with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations regarding their needs and priorities.
What are your biggest concerns right now?
I am a (somewhat) recovering control freak, and I don’t do well with the unknown! Adjusting to our new normal has required a great deal of patience and flexibility, and to some extent learning to go with the flow. I am still focused on operating in a strategic and proactive way, but am also able to pivot as needed and take advantage of opportunities as they develop. Fortunately, we have a very nimble and entrepreneurial culture and mindset at Buckingham, so the entire team is right there with me as we figure out ways we can increase our focus on serving others.
How are you taking care of yourself, your staff and your clients?
Professionally, we are all staying connected and technology is allowing us to have very productive planning meetings and team discussions, and the occasional virtual happy hour! Personally, I am starting each day by focusing on the “silver linings” in my life right now. Our family is healthy and food secure, my daughter is home from med school and is doing lots of fantastic cooking, therapeutic massages and closet organization in between online learning sessions, I have time to take a long walk every day, I have discovered the joy of Zoom family gatherings and I am embracing deep breathing and yoga stretches in between calls and meetings. We start each day with a stand up family meeting to review daily goals, and I end each day with prayers and gratitude for my blessings, which helps me keep things in perspective.
What is your biggest need right now and how can people support your organization?
I would ask people to support their community. Donate to your favorite nonprofit. Find a cause you can get behind and research how you can help. Stay home. Take care of your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Check in on your friends and family via technology. And call your Mom!
What are you reading, watching, listening to, or doing to get through this?
I am an avid reader, and enjoy thrillers and mysteries (I should have been a detective). With libraries and bookstores closed, I have discovered podcasts, E-books and audio books. My life coach daughter Emma is providing daily self improvement tips and suggestions. We are diligently re-watching all episodes of The Office. And we just finished Tiger King on Netflix. I am desperately searching for ways I can work “Hey all you cool cats and kittens” into upcoming team meetings!
If you haven’t already, check out the Badassery Life blog posts, and subscribe to Kelly’s podcast and like her Facebook Page as well to learn of others, like Theresa, who are making a difference in our community!
