I’m David Shiman, a member of the Board of Directors of the Peace & Justice Center, a non-profit organization located in Burlington, Vermont, and the former President of the University of Vermont's United Academics faculty union.
Our Board is very concerned that our four staff members, who carry out our anti-racism, peace, and economic and social justice programs have either woefully inadequate or no health insurance coverage at all. The present COVID-19 crisis has only sharpened this concern and called on us to act.
Our ultimate goal is to provide full health coverage. However we do not have the funds to do that yet. For the present, we hope to create a resource pool the staff can draw on to address immediate and pressing health needs.
Our PJC just celebrated its 41st birthday. We have a dedicated and hardworking staff who have sacrificed high salaries to pursue their commitment to PJC goals. As they provide support for others, we must help them to remain healthy and strong. They need health care support and we need them. We cannot afford to lose these talented people.
Our immediate crisis is the present pandemic. We need to help our staff stay healthy and reduce their vulnerability to COVID-19. When this crisis passes, we will have a resource pool in place as a first step towards sound health care coverage. The Board will not have access to the funds. Every dollar donated will be transferred directly to a restricted fund of the Peace & Justice Center. The staff will develop the criteria for the use of the resources in this fund.
Please join us in launching this health care initiative. Every contribution counts. Your donation is tax-deductible. Thank you.
