The pandemic forced many changes essentially overnight for many Colorado nonprofits. They went from having their doors open to serve their communities to having to observe strict COVID-19 restrictions. The leaders behind the scenes had to react quickly to figure out how to successfully operate their organizations virtually and, in many cases, create new programs and initiatives for the communities they care so deeply about – and that’s no small feat.

Many of those leaders are part of Bonfils-Stanton Foundation’s Livingston Fellowship Program. Not only have they immediately confronted the problems at-hand, in doing so, they have created viable solutions for their organizations that may become permanent programming and annual events as a result.

“In my conversations with several Livingston Fellows over the past few months, I’ve learned a great deal about how folks are adapting their programming and services to shape how they operate during the pandemic and beyond,” says Chrissy Deal, Director of the Livingston Fellowship Program & Social Change Grantmaking. “They are responding in extraordinary ways.”

Which in-person events will now be held virtually potentially in the future? Who implemented new online programming that has been wildly successful within their organizations?

We connected with four Livingston Fellows to hear their perspectives on opportunities that have emerged through the pandemic and their experiences along the way. Here’s what they had to say:

Deidre JohnsonDeidre Johnson, Livingston Fellow, Class of 2018
CEO & Executive Director
The Center for African American Health (CAA Health)

“As a result of the pandemic, we have prioritized Mental Health Services and Advocacy,” says Deidre Johnson. “Since April of 2020, The Center for African American Health has actively engaged in COVID-19 community-wide relief and recovery efforts, including distribution of food, emergency assistance funds, and PPE supplies.”

In fact, Deidre explains that CAA Health has distributed more than $165,000 in direct emergency financial support to over 350 families to help pay for food, rent, utilities, prescriptions, and other critical needs. To date, they’ve even distributed 12,000 face masks to community members to keep families protected from contracting COVID-19.

“We held our first Vaccination Clinic in partnership with CDPHE on February 19 – and will continue to serve as an access site to community members,” explains Deidre.

Since the pandemic began, Deidre says CAA Health has greatly increased its virtual presence – from starting a Facebook Live Lunch and Learn Series to provide the community with timely health news and updates – and the program has now exceeded 8,000 views. CCA Health’s also presented its Collaborative Black Health Summit virtually which provides relevant and actionable information, connect attendees to available community resources, create a space of mutual support and connectedness, and showcase various strategies and best practices for helping all achieve their highest level of health and well-being for the first time in late February.

Visit CAA Health’s website and learn more about their commitment to empower the community to live well.

Michael HenryMichael Henry, Livingston Fellow, Class of 2017
Executive Director
Lighthouse Writers Workshop

When we asked Michael Henry, Executive Director of Lighthouse Writers Workshop, how they’re holding up during the pandemic, he noted the resiliency of the staff: “They’ve worked so hard and have bonded together in ways that I’d never imagined. I’m amazed at how hard the staff has worked to ensure that the Lighthouse community stays connected, and that people have a safe place where they can explore their creativity and share their stories.”

In fact, Michael tells Bonfils-Stanton Foundation that the organization has actually grown during the pandemic. He says it’s clear they provide a service that supplies a very human need, and that is, to allow people to create something of meaning and beauty in a world that seems so dark right now.

Michael says Lighthouse now has writers from all over the world joining their programming – from places like Costa Rica, Egypt, Bermuda, New Zealand, India, Puerto Rico, Iceland, and the United Arab Emirates, not to mention across the US and Canada. The Lighthouse community joins in by attending Zoom workshops – and those are something that will stick around even after the pandemic subsides.

“I think the biggest surprise was the demand we’ve been seeing. Our young writers program enrollment doubled last year, and the programs for adults increased by almost 20 percent. Literary readings, Zoom workshops and craft talks all translate well online,” says Michael as he closes out with, “It just confirms something we’ve known all along: words connect us. And we need connection more than ever, I believe.”

Interested in attending a virtual workshop? Visit Lighthouse Writers’ website for more information.

Louise MartoranoLouise Martorano, Livingston Fellow, Class of 2017
Executive Director
RedLine

Louise Martorano, Executive Director of RedLine, had an incredibly tough year as she lost her father after a battle with cancer. “Supporting my mother and enduring the political climates of 2020 was impossibly hard. My heart and soul goes out to all those who have lost family members and loved ones this past year while simultaneously feeling like the world was collapsing.”

When Louise talks about her work at RedLine, she continues to inspire and lead the organization through the trying times of the pandemic. She says, that success, means  saying “yes” a lot more.

“We have been very focused on saying ‘yes’ to any relief effort that we can support through fiscal sponsorships and administration, so that we can hopefully remove any unnecessary bureaucracies or barriers for creative organizations and individuals trying to access relief organizations,” says Louise.

RedLine also explored how the organization could help address the public health crisis and economic crisis through a creative solution. “One example of this was through our Makers for Masks program that supported the work of artists who had turned to making masks, which provided them a weekly stipend to make those masks, which were distributed to area shelters and frontline workers at RTD.”

In fact, Louise says Makers for Masks created a repeatable income for artists in the midst of museum and gallery closures while at the same time helping to keep over 2,000 individuals experiencing homelessness more protected within the shelter environment.

“For RedLine, we have been a very locally-focused organization but when the pandemic set in, we saw opportunities to support local artists by engaging with our nationally-based network for professional development, anti-racist trainings and relief regranting.”

Visit RedLine’s website to learn more about the organization and its efforts.

Executive Director, Museo de las AmericasClaudia Moran-Pichardo, Livingston Fellow, Class of 2020
Executive Director
Museo de las Americas

Claudia Moran-Pichardo and the team at Museo de las Americas worked quickly with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to implement health and safety guidelines for in-person engagement as well as virtual services and programs.

“Museo was able to re-open for the summer exhibition of 2020,” says Claudia. “Since then, we have been able to engage visitors in-person, and we’re so thankful for the community for continuing to engage with us as we provide a safe place for Latino arts and culture to be experienced.”

Claudia underscored the importance of corporate, foundation and federal grants and other resources. “As an organization, this has allowed us to re-open, remain open, provide programs and keep staff employed while also hiring new staff as well.”

With the ongoing pandemic, Museo recognizes the demand for virtual services. Claudia also explains that a challenging-yet-rewarding experience has been the adaptability to Museo’s internal operations – and a lot of that is due to working remotely. “Being able to work remotely has provided us with a deeper level of internal communication, planning and coordination. Our internal departments have adapted, and continue to adapt, to the ongoing limitations caused by the pandemic,” says Claudia. “Yet it is because of these ongoing limitations that Museo will continue to grow and learn as an organization.”

Visit Museo’s website to learn about their work and current exhibitions.