To our Staff, Patients, Community Members, Community Leaders, and Stakeholders:
Back in early December, I revealed to our organization, our community, and many others, the state of our financial affairs. Since then, our staff and I have focused on expense reductions and revenue generation. Thanks to many generous donations/pledges, I am proud to say we have raised over $75,000. We want to recognize the following groups who came to our aid in our time of need –
• UCare – $44,000
• Anonymous – $5,000
• St Paul Foundation – $10,000
• Bigelow Foundation – $10,000
• Community Fundraising – $5,000+
If we are to survive this year, we will still need additional funding. I am confident that we will achieve a resolution with the aid of Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Melvin Carter. As we’ve continued to work tirelessly, we have yet to secure a funding source to sustain us until our Federal grant arrives April 1, 2020. The following are potential solutions we are pursuing in order to navigate out of the financial crisis.
• Approval on Advance of Federal Grant
• Approval of Loan
• Relief Funding for Community Health Centers
I fully recognize that the first two solutions delay the problem, but it gives us more time and breathing room to realize the benefits of many operational improvements enacted in 2019. It will also give us more time to explore and enact more solutions leading to a leaner and more improved organization. Most importantly, it gives time for our hard-working legislative body to enact Relief Funding to help our industry.
While we work on those solutions, I have investigated how we can continue operating Open Cities without any impact on services. Unfortunately, there was no elegant solution that allowed us to preserve every job and sustain our organization. As such, I had to take drastic next steps and lay off 20 people last Thursday, January 2, 2020. They will be with our organization until January 24, 2020. It was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that will help ensure longevity. I wish those laid off well, and hope they feel the respect and dignity they deserve from our organization, patients, Community Members, Community Leaders, and Stakeholders. I thank them for their years of dedication and service to the communities we serve. This solution allows both locations to remain open helping continue to serve the Rondo, Frogtown, Payne-Phalen, and North End Communities.
Over the last month, Open Cities has received an incredible amount of community support from all over the Twin Cities. And to those, my staff and I thank you for your support. Those who are considering supporting us, please see the options below –
Our Website – https://opencitieshealth.org/donate/
Text to Donate – Text “SAVEOCHC” to 41444
Fundraiser – STAY TUNED! With the help of Stephanie and Mychael Wright at Golden Thyme, we are working on a Fundraising Event soon. Please attend and show your support in person!
If you’re not able to donate financially, please consider volunteering at our clinic. All volunteering inquiries can be submitted to info@opencitieshealth.org.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Together, we can get through this crisis. With your help, I look forward to moving beyond this difficult period and turning our organization around! Together, we can dream the impossible dreams because I assure you…the best is yet to come. Let’s keep working hard and moving Open Cities forward!