The Caring Commons
This webpage is designed to share resources among Bates faculty and staff during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. While the resource list is not intended to be exhaustive, it will be updated periodically as new major or particularly relevant resources become available. If you wish to add or correct a resource, please email Kristen Cloutier at the Harward Center.
Please CLICK HERE to visit Bates’ central website for all college communications during the COVID-19 crisis.
General Information about Coronavirus
Note: Mainers can dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), text your ZIP code to 898-211, or email info@211maine.org to get virus-related information from the state. This line is TDD and TYY accessible for people with hearing impairment.
City of Lewiston Coronavirus Updates and Information
Coronavirus Updates and Information from the Office of Governor Janet T. Mills
Maine Center for Disease Control: Updates on the Situation in Maine
U.S. Center for Disease Control
Governor Mills’ Gradual Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy
Food Resources
Lewiston Public Schools Feeding Program
Auburn Public Schools Feeding Program
Trinity Jubilee Center (Lewiston)
Cumberland County Food Resources
Find Local Food Products Available for Pickup
Androscoggin County Nutrition Assistance Programs
Food Access Information from Healthy Androscoggin
Extra SNAP Benefits for Kids Whose Schools are Closed Flyer from Maine Equal Justice
What You Need to Know About Applying for SNAP During COVID-19 Information from Maine Equal Justice
Healthcare, Mental Health, and Substance Use Disorder Resources
MaineCare Information and Resources
Find a Nearby COVID-19 Test Center
Staying Healthy During COVID-19 from SARSSM
Taking Care of Yourself During COVID-19 by SARSSM
Is Your Loved One In a Nursing Home? 6 Questions To Ask from AARP
Dealing with Crisis and Anxiety Information from SARSSM
Crisis and Support Line Information from SARSSM
Department of Health & Human Services Maine Crisis Hotline
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline
Opportunity Alliance Immediate Support Services
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The Trevor Project (hotline, chat and resources for LGBT+ youth)
Maine Warm Line (peer-run listening line staffed by people in recovery themselves) by Sweetser, Inc.
Directory of Online Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Domestic Violence Resources
Safe Voices of Androscoggin County
Through These Doors of Cumberland County
COVID-19 Response and Updates from the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine
Employment/Labor Resources
Bates College Bernie Carpenter Employee Financial Assistance Program (See below)
Unemployment Insurance FAQs Regarding COVID-19
Federal Guidelines on Unemployment Benefits
Maine Department of Labor Information on COVID-19
Maine Department of Labor: Resources for Workers and Businesses
Q&A: Unemployment Insurance Benefits for Workers Impacted by the COVID-19 Virus
Small Business Disaster Assistance Loans
Paycheck Protection Program Information from ProsperityME
Information Needed to File for Maine State Unemployment
Housing Resources
Maine Court System: Temporary Halt in Trials
COVID-19 Rental Relief Program from MaineHousing
Mortgage Help for Homeowners Impacted by the Coronovirus
Updates and Information from Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Childcare Resources
Department of Health and Human Services Childcare Emergency Plan
Utility Resources
Emergency Moratorium on Utilities Disconnection
Educational Resources
COVID-19 Resources from Lewiston Public Schools
Free Internet Access for Students from Spectrum
Maine Department of Education COVID-19 Resources for Schools
Educate Maine Resources for Educators, Families and Communities
Articles and Ideas on Remote Learning from Macaroni Kid
Educational Resources from WinterKids
Online Activities for Kids During COVID-19
Maine Public’s Maine Museum Portal
Resources for New Mainers (many translated into various languages)
New Guidance on COVID-19 in Newly Resettled Refugee Populations from the CDC (6/4/2020)
The city of Lewiston’s YouTube channel contains several videos explaining general CDC information and specific State of Maine guidelines regarding COVID-19 in several languages:
Arabic
English
French
Kirundi
Maay Maay
Portuguese
Somali
“Flattening the Curve” translations from The Washington Post:
English
French
Portuguese
Spanish
How to Self-Isolate for COVID-19 information from the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC)
Arabic
English
French
Portuguese
Governor Mills’ “Stay Healthy at Home” Executive Order (3/31/2020)
Arabic
English
French
Portuguese
Somali
Spanish
Governor Mills’ “Stay Healthy at Home” Executive Order Videos
Portuguese
Spanish
Governor Mills’ “Stay Safer at Home” Executive Order (4/29/2020)
Arabic
English
French
Haitian Creole
Portuguese
Somali
Spanish
Immigrant Eligibility for Financial Help Under the CARES Act Information from the Maine Business Immigration Coalition
English
French
Spanish
HIAS Know Your Rights During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Arabic
English
Farsi
French
Russian
Spanish
Swahili
Dealing with Crisis and Anxiety Information from SARSSM
Portuguese
Spanish
Staying Healthy During COVID-19 from SARSSM
Portuguese
Spanish
Taking Care of Yourself During COVID-19 by SARSSM
Portuguese
Spanish
Crisis and Support Line Information from SARSSM
Portuguese
Spanish
Keeping Families and Children Safe During COVID-19 from the Office of Child & Family Services of the Department of Health & Human Services
Arabic
French
Lingala
Portuguese
Somali
Spanish
Resources for Parents with COVID-19: Before You Get Sick, Make a Plan Flyer from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services
Arabic
French
Khmer
Lingala
Portuguese
Somali
Spanish
Information Needed to File for Maine State Unemployment
Arabic
Azerbaijani
Dari
Farsi
French
Khmer
Kinyarwanda
Lingala
Pashto
Portuguese
Russian
Serbo-Croatian
Somali
Spanish
Swahili
Vietnamese
COVID-19 YouTube Video Resources from Maine Access Immigrant Network
COVID-19 Resources for New Mainers from the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC)
City of Portland Multilingual Resource Guide
What Maine’s “Stay Healthy at Home” Order Means for You in Five Languages from Healthy Neighborhoods
COVID-19 Response and Updates from the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine
Calling the Immigration Court Hotline Self-Help Guide from ILAP
Other Resources
Maine Judicial Branch COVID-19 Notice
Maine Judicial Branch Guidance on Social Distancing
Various Resources from Maine Equal Justice Partners
Information and Updates from the YWCA of Central Maine
COVID-19 Preparations from Tri-County Mental Health Services
COVID-19 Updates from New Beginnings
COVID-19 Resources from the Maine Women’s Lobby
COVID-19 Response and Updates from the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine
Various Resources from Catholic Charities of Maine
Information and Resources from the Maine Council on Aging
COVID-19 Cleaning Tips from the CDC
Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 from the CDC
“Which Type of Mask Do I Need?” Flyer from the Maine Department of Health & Human Services
Maine EMS: What To Do If You Are Sick with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Maine EMS: What To Do If Your Symptoms Worsen from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Maine EMS: Infection Control Strategies to Prevent Coronavirus Disease in 2019 (COVID-19)?
Updated Local Business Information from the L-A Metro Chamber of Commerce (LA Adapts)
What Maine’s “Stay Healthy at Home” Order Means for You from Healthy Neighborhoods
Maine’s Bureau of Financial Institutions Warns Public About Online Banking Update Scams
IRS Economic Impact Payment Web Tool for Those Who Don’t Normally File a Tax Return
My Hero is You Storybook for Children on COVID-19 from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (offered in multiple languages)
Resources for Faculty
Dean of the Faculty Support for Remote Teaching
Resources for Students
Remote Access to Campus Resources for Students
Bates Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) Updates
Bates College’s Bernie Carpenter Employee Financial Assistance Program (from Employee Handbook)
This endowed fund, established in 1997, honors the memory and tradition of helping fellow co-workers practiced by Bernie Carpenter for “giving help, when and how it is needed most, to those most in need.” It is available to all employees and is intended for emergencies such as major illnesses, accidents, or similar catastrophes.
Requests for emergency grants or loans will be made to the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources in writing with a description of the emergency need. The request will be held in confidence and a standing panel of three employees will review the request. The panel’s decision is final, without the possibility of appeal. All attempts will be made for the panel to meet and make a decision within seven days.
Repayment of funds is an expectation but is not a condition of receiving funds. Recipients are encouraged to contribute, when and how they can, to the fund after the emergency situation is resolved in order to increase opportunities for other employees in the future. If funds have not been repaid within one year, the amount of funds received will be added as income to the employee’s next W-2.
The panel will consist of one faculty member, one staff member, and one representative from the Human Resources Department. The names of panel members are confidential.
Ways to Help
Bates College’s Bernie Carpenter Fund: Use the on-line form (bates.edu/give) and select “Choose a designation” then “Other” and write in “Carpenter Fund.” You can also send a check to the College and note that it is for the Carpenter Fund.
Maine Initiatives COVID-19 Community Care Fund
Maine People’s Alliance Mainers Together Community Assistance Program
United Way of Androscoggin County COVID-19 Response Fund
Maine Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
The St. Mary’s COVID-19 Response Fund
The Marguerite d’Youville Fund
The St. Mary’s Nutrition Center and Food Pantry Fund
Volunteer Opportunities through the United Way of Androscoggin County
Volunteer Guidance on Safe Deliveries from Catholic Charities of Maine
American Red Cross Blood Donation
Maine Responds: Emergency Health Volunteer System
Educate Maine’s 2,020 Books Challenge
Coronavirus Relief T-shirt Sale by Rogue Wear
2020 COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants from Healthy Neighborhoods