How You Can Help
During this difficult time, there are ways that we can all give back to help our community. Below are links for where you can donate and volunteer in the Dubuque area to help with the COVID-19 response.
Where You Can Donate
Greater Dubuque Disaster Recovery Fund
This fund, housed at Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, enables a coordinated response to the COVID-19 crisis and helps people in the Dubuque region most impacted by the outbreak, including seniors and low-income residents.
It provides an opportunity for the public to give with the reassurance their donations will be granted to local organizations that can allocate them where they are most needed and in ways that can adapt to evolving needs.
To date, the fund has granted nearly $700,000 to 38 organizations helping people meet their basic needs during this time, including food, safety and health care.
Learn About Other Ways to Support the Nonprofits that Endorse and Participate in #AllofUsDubuque
Clarke University is a Catholic academic community that believes learning is lifelong and life changing. They inspire intellectual curiosity, cultural engagement, professional preparedness, spiritual exploration, and a commitment to contributing to the common good in a global society
Divine Word College is the only Roman Catholic undergraduate seminary in the U.S. dedicated to educating men and women for missionary service
Dubuque Area Congregations United
The members of Dubuque Area Congregations United (DACU) are people of diverse faiths and beliefs, are united by our belief in God, our concerns for justice and our call to serve others
Dubuque for Refugee Children provides much needed transport and assistance to newly arriving immigrants, especially minors, and helps pay for medical bills and other pressing needs during the COVID-19 outbreak
Loras College is a Catholic Liberal Arts college that strives to develop active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision makers, and responsible contributors in their diverse professional, social, and religious roles.
MercyOne Dubuque is one of the leading hospitals in the Tri-States, and aims to set the standard for a personalized and radically convenient system of health services
Northeast Iowa Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College serves eight counties in northeast Iowa and surrounding areas, and is committed to affordable, high-quality education and training to ensure the growth and vitality of northeast Iowa
River Bend Foodbank collects wholesome donations of food for distribution to more than 300 charitable community organizations that support the hungry in eastern Iowa and western Illinois
Rooted in the Gospel and in the spirit of Francis and Clare, the Sisters of St. Francis live in right relationship with all creation
Tri-State Volunteer Immigrant Appointment Transportation Service (VIATS) is a local group of volunteers that provides much needed transportation and food delivery assistance for vulnerable immigrants. Donations can be given to the Presentation Lantern Center with an indication that it is for Tri-State VIATS
UnityPoint Health - Finley Hospital is one of the top hospitals serving the Tri-State area, and strives to combine the best technology, innovation, and personal expertise all the while putting the patient first
Crescent Community Health Center
Crescent Community Health Center provides high-quality, respectful and affordable medical and dental care to improve the health and well-being of our community. It also houses the Dubuque Pacific Islander Health Project.
Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa are an order of Dominican Catholic women religious based in Sinsinawa Mound in Wisconsin deadicated to preaching and teaching the Gospel
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an advocacy organization aimed at ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination
Fountain of Youth provides local community members with mentorship and support - including with education, job training, and social skills - to help end the generational cycle of poverty
The Marshallese Health Fund provides funding to support Dubuque's Marshallese community, filling in gaps to make sure that no Marshallese family falls through the cracks during this crisis
The Multicultural Family Center envisions an equitable and inclusive Dubuque built on a foundation of understanding and collaboration across all cultural groups committed to producing engaged families and community members. The Center serves as an inviting and safe place for community members, stimulates connections, and provides programs to foster civic engagement and social and economic success.
The Presentation Lantern Center serves adult immigrants through its focus on hospitality, educational opportunities, and advocacy, including providing English language lessons and support for immigrants to become citizens
Sisters of Charity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) is a community of Catholic women religious who, in response to a personal call from God, have chosen a vowed life of prayer, ministry and community
As Catholic women, the Sisters of the Presentation dedicate their lives to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, living in community and vowing to live simply, celibately and with shared responsibility
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
As a congregation within the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Dubuque is a nonprofit religious organization of people who are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality — but aligned in a desire to make a difference for the good.
The University of Dubuque is a private, Presbyterian, coeducational, professional university with a foundation in the liberal arts that is committed to nurturing the mind, body, and spirit as well as encouraging students to explore their fullest potential
The Dubuque Community YMCA/YWCA is committed to strengthening communities by focusing on youth development, healthy living, social responsibility, eliminating racism, and empowering women.
Where You Can Volunteer
Join the United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-State's online portal to become connected to local organizations looking for volunteers
Help welcome a New Americans to Dubuque by tutoring English language learners, assisting students preparing for the U.S. Citizenship test, helping newcomers develop "life skills" in a new culture, and celebrating with students and other volunteers at social events
Help assist and empower new immigrants in Dubuque by assisting them with legal, educational, medical, and housing needs in their quest to achieve secure, peaceful, and sustainable lives. Email here for volunteering opportunities
At the Multicultural Family Center (MFC), volunteers are vital to everything they do. The MFC counts on volunteers for special-event help, long-term service, and everything in between.
Where You Can Learn More
Learn More About the Marshallese People
"They Did Not Realize We Are Human Beings." Politico.
"How the U.S. betrayed the Marshall Islands, kindling the next nuclear disaster." Los Angeles Times.
Learn More About Guatemalan Mayan People
"A Translation Crisis At The Border." The New Yorker.
"Language Barriers Pose Challenges For Mayan Migrant Children." National Public Radio
Learn More About Latino and Hispanic People
"Understanding why Latinos are so hard hit by Covid-19." CNN
Abigail Golden-Vazquez, "The Invisible Latino in America"
"Who is Hispanic?" Pew Research Center
"The code: How genetic science helped expose a secret coronavirus outbreak," Washington Post.
"Hispanic homebuyers poised to become dominant force in U.S. housing market," Bankrate
Learn More About Issues Facing Black People
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man
Race Forward's Series of Videos on Systemic Racism
"A Letter to Corporate Leaders," Harvard Business School African American Student Union
Bryan Stevenson, essay for 1916 project - Slavery and the prison industrial complex
Coshandra Dillard, "Teaching About King's Radical Approach to Social Justice"
Imani Perry, "Racism Is Terrible, Blackness Is Not"
George Yency, "Dear White America"
Learn More About LGBTQ+
Dubuque Transgender Facebook Page
"A Snapshot of How COVID-19 Is Impacting the LGBTQ Community." BU Today
Learn More About Native American People
COVID-19 Resources
For a medical emergency regarding COVID-19, dial 911
Local Resources
211
Free hotline directing you to local resources for food, rent, utilities, medical payment, health care, and more.
Phone: Dial 211
Catholic Charities
Assistance with rent, utilities, medical payments, and other forms of financial support. Spanish translation available.
Phone: (800) 772-2758
https://catholiccharitiesdubuque.org/our-services
Resources Unite
Assistance with rent, utilities, medical payments, and other forms of financial support.
Phone: (563) 231-6280
https://www.resourcesunite.com/
Presentation Lantern Center
Support and services for immigrants in the Dubuque area.
Phone: (563) 557-7134
Email: info@thelanterncenter.org
Operation New View Community Action Agency
Financial assistance with rent, utilities, and qualifying medical expenses.
Phone: (563) 556-5130
https://www.operationnewview.org/
The Open Closet at St. John's Lutheran Church
Free bedding and clothing, including pre-mature babies, infants, maternity clothing, toddler, juvenile and up to 4XL for men and women. By appointment (call ahead).
1276 White St
Phone: (563) 495-0885
https://almosthomedbq.org/what-we-do
City of Dubuque Housing & Community Development Department
Rental assistance for Dubuque residents.
Phone: (563) 564-7489
Pre-application in English, Spanish, and Marshallese can be found at:
https://www.cityofdubuque.org/618/Housing-Community-Development
Disaster Recovery Fund - Application for Non-profit Organizations
Online application for non-profit organizations to apply for a grant from the Disaster Recovery Fund.
https://www.dbqfoundation.org/nonprofits/grant-opportunities
Dubuque County Downloadable and Printable COVID-19 Resource Guide
List of COVID-19 related resources for Dubuque County.
https://www.dbqfoundation.org/sites/default/files/resources/dbqresourceguide_v7_1.pdf
COVID-19 Related Hotlines
Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association COVID-19 Hotline
Available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Sunday. If you need to leave a message your, call will be returned as soon as possible between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Interpretation available in Spanish and Marshallese.
Phone: (563) 556-6200
Iowa Department of Public Health COVID-19 Hotline
Available 24/7 for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. Other languages available.
Phone: 2-1-1 or 1 (800) 244-7431
Multilingual COVID-19 Hotline
Developed by the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa and other partners
Phone: 1 (877) 558-2609
Iowa Legal Aid COVID-19 Legal Help Hotline
This is a free service available to Iowans who are experiencing legal issues due to the COVID-19 emergency
Phone: 1 (800) 332-0419
COVID-19 Health Information (English)
City of Dubuque COVID-19 Information
City of Dubuque COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Information
COVID-19 Health Information (Español)
10 formas de controlar los síntomas respiratorios en el hogar
¿Qué Puede Hacer Si Tiene un Mayor Riesgo de Enfermedad Grave por el COVID-19
Si alguien en su hogar está enfermo
COVID-19 Health Information (Marshallese)
Crescent Community Health Center Marshallese COVID-19 Information
10 kilen waje im lolorjake kakkolkol ko an emenono ilo am bed imweo
Ta eo Komaron kommane elane Kwokawotata im Doolol jen COVID-19
Elane ewor enaninmej ilo mweo imom
COVID-19 Health Information (Other Languages)
COVID-19 Brain Health Resources
COVID-19 Human Trafficking Resources
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Phone: 1 (888) 373-7888
Text: 233733
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
USCIS Resources for Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes
FBI Human Trafficking Brochure (English) (Spanish)
Herramienta de Identificación de Trata de Personas para Programas de Violencia Doméstica
Aspectos básicos de la trata de personas