GRACE CEO Shonda Schaefer headlines the Charles Schwab Panel Discussion on the Impact of COVID-19
The Charles Schwab Corporation has partnered with GRACE since 2004, providing funding, in-kind gifts, and volunteer support to serve those in need in North Texas.
It’s natural then, when the more than 2,500 Charles Schwab staffers at the massive North Texas Campus had questions about helping their community during the COVID-19 pandemic, they turned to GRACE for answers.
Next week, GRACE Chief Executive Officer Shonda Schaefer headlines a panel discussion hosted by the multinational financial services company at the Westlake campus. The discussion will take place at 3 p.m., Thursday, August 27.
“Serving Our Community through Challenging Times” will focus on the GRACE mission and the strength of our ongoing relationship with Schwab over the years. Joining Shonda on the panel is Tarrant Area Food Bank fundraiser Stephen Raeside, and Nickie Vogt Antonitis, Corporate Relations Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County.
Schwab Social Responsibility chief Tessa Edwards will moderate the discussion centering on the impact COVID-19 has had on the community, their agencies, and their funding and volunteers needs.
Since early-March, GRACE has been serving the needs of triple the number of client families over last year at this same time. In the wave of the coronavirus outbreak, GRACE programming refocused on the Food Pantry, Community Clinic, Senior Services, Transitional Housing, and Emergency Services.
Many clients came to GRACE after furloughs or layoffs from the local hospitality industry reeling from cancellations and closures. The hospitality industry continues to struggle even as the convention hotels, entertainment venues, the mall, the airport, and local restaurants and shops are opening to the extent mandates allow.
The flexibility of GRACE programming has been tested by the continuing shifting needs of clients. For example, the next few weeks will surge with requests for rent assistance as deferrals come due.
During that time, keeping families in their homes will be our primary focus, while still providing food, medical care, senior services, children’s programming, utility and transportation assistance, and serving a host of other needs.
As always, our appreciation goes out to Charles Schwab Corporation for thinking of GRACE and the needs of our community.
