Dear friends,
These last few days have been tough on all of us. When adversity strikes, Utah likes to come together.
Usually in moments like these, we come together for a night out with friends, Saturday brunch or a chance to volunteer with a cause we are passionate about. We rely on our relationships and sense of community to keep us safe.
However, we're living in a paradox. We’re asked to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and to stay six feet away from one another. More than ever, community matters.
Which is why we need you to help us make a difference and build our community.
Emerging Leaders Initiative of Utah’s mission is to elevate the voice and impact of young voters in their communities. Over the years, we have done this through three pillars of civic engagement: Lead by Voting, Lead by Serving and Lead by Running.
During this unprecedented time, young Utahns, more than ever, will have a direct impact on the health and safety of all Utahns. To this end, we invite and encourage each and every one of you to participate in a new pillar of civic engagement: Lead by Caring.
In the days and weeks ahead, we need each of us to be creative in building a community by caring for one another. Facetime your friends or call a grandparent to help combat the fear and loneliness some may be facing right now.
For our part, ELI Utah will be building digital experiences in the coming weeks to share ways to care for one another, promote mental health and build community even as we are apart. We will be building virtual events, remote meetups and other activities to ensure that we can still stay true to our community and ELI Utah’s mission to promote civic engagement.
We are confident that we will come out of this experience more connected, involved and empowered than before. Thank you for all that you are doing and will continue to do to lead by caring and help make a difference.
Together in care,
Emerging Leaders Initiative of Utah Board of Directors
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Practice Social Distancing
It is especially important that Millennials and Gen-Z participate in social distancing to limit the spread of coronavirus. Even though a lot of us may be relatively healthy or think the virus won’t impact us, you may be a carrier and not realize it. Just ask Donovan Mitchell.
You choosing to practice social distancing shows that you care. It helps protect your friends, family and neighbors. Social distances helps decrease risks for:
- Boomers—aka your parents and grandparents—and others over 60
- Individuals with certain chronic health conditions (know any friends with asthma?)
Support Local Businesses
This is a challenging and economically difficult time for Utah’s small businesses. Restaurants can only offer take-out and delivery and many gyms are closed. Support local businesses by buying gift cards to treat your future self, ordering take out or delivery (who wants to cook anyway?) and tipping as generously as possible.
Check out the Downtown Alliance blog to see what restaurants in the downtown area are offering service. Support Utah Dining gives a good list of restaurants across the rest of the Wasatch Front.
Take to Social Media
Hop on our #LeadbyCaring hashtag train and share what you’re doing to build community and stay healthy during these difficult times. Read a great story of someone making a difference? Share it. See a great resource like Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s neighbor support form? Retweet it.
You can also participate in conversations by joining our new ELI Utah Facebook group. Share podcast recommendations, post virtual hangout ideas, or even find someone that’ll give you an extra roll of TP.
Give Back to Community Organizations
Many local organizations and nonprofits like the United Ways of Utah, Fourth Street Clinic and the American Red Cross are working tirelessly to support Utahns in need during this time.
For example, the Utah Food Bank is working to ensure that Utahns don’t experience food insecurity. You can support them (and many other organizations) in three ways:
- Support financially: You can join our chair’s fundraiser at: https://www.facebook.com/donate/514041572827541/
- Provide in-kind items. Donate essential toiletries and non-perishable food items
- Volunteer. If you are healthy and able (between the ages of 18-59 and without pre-existing conditions), share your time. Details on volunteering can be found here.
Fill out the Census
Now more than ever, it’s critical that your voice and Utah is represented. Please fill out your household’s census online today.
Talk to Us: No, Seriously
While we work together to put together some virtual events and community calendar for you in the coming days, please reach out.
Is your organization putting together an online town hall? Do you have an event idea you’d like to partner on? Is your business offering free online tools? Help us identify ideas and resources for others to Lead by Caring. Email us at info@emergingleadersutah.org or contact us on social media:
Facebook Page
Facebook Group
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
Stay tuned for more ways to Lead by Caring and connect with us in the coming days!
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Practice Social Distancing
It is especially important that Millennials and Gen-Z participate in social distancing to limit the spread of coronavirus. Even though a lot of us may be relatively healthy or think the virus won’t impact us, you may be a carrier and not realize it. Just ask Donovan Mitchell.
You choosing to practice social distancing shows that you care. It helps protect your friends, family and neighbors. Social distances helps decrease risks for:
- Boomers—aka your parents and grandparents—and others over 60
- Individuals with certain chronic health conditions (know any friends with asthma?)
Support Local Businesses
This is a challenging and economically difficult time for Utah’s small businesses. Restaurants can only offer take-out and delivery and many gyms are closed. Support local businesses by buying gift cards to treat your future self, ordering take out or delivery (who wants to cook anyway?) and tipping as generously as possible.
Check out the Downtown Alliance blog to see what restaurants in the downtown area are offering service. Support Utah Dining gives a good list of restaurants across the rest of the Wasatch Front.
Take to Social Media
Hop on our #LeadbyCaring hashtag train and share what you’re doing to build community and stay healthy during these difficult times. Read a great story of someone making a difference? Share it. See a great resource like Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s neighbor support form? Retweet it.
You can also participate in conversations by joining our new ELI Utah Facebook group. Share podcast recommendations, post virtual hangout ideas, or even find someone that’ll give you an extra roll of TP.
Give Back to Community Organizations
Many local organizations and nonprofits like the United Ways of Utah, Fourth Street Clinic and the American Red Cross are working tirelessly to support Utahns in need during this time.
For example, the Utah Food Bank is working to ensure that Utahns don’t experience food insecurity. You can support them (and many other organizations) in three ways:
- Support financially: You can join our chair’s fundraiser at: https://www.facebook.com/donate/514041572827541/
- Provide in-kind items. Donate essential toiletries and non-perishable food items
- Volunteer. If you are healthy and able (between the ages of 18-59 and without pre-existing conditions), share your time. Details on volunteering can be found here.
Fill out the Census
Now more than ever, it’s critical that your voice and Utah is represented. Please fill out your household’s census online today.
Talk to Us: No, Seriously
While we work together to put together some virtual events and community calendar for you in the coming days, please reach out.
Is your organization putting together an online town hall? Do you have an event idea you’d like to partner on? Is your business offering free online tools? Help us identify ideas and resources for others to Lead by Caring. Email us at info@emergingleadersutah.org or contact us on social media:
Stay tuned for more ways to Lead by Caring and connect with us in the coming days!
Talk to Us: No, Seriously
While we work together to put together some virtual events and community calendar for you in the coming days, please reach out.
Is your organization putting together an online town hall? Do you have an event idea you’d like to partner on? Is your business offering free online tools? Help us identify ideas and resources for others to Lead by Caring. Email us at info@emergingleadersutah.org or contact us on social media:
Stay tuned for more ways to Lead by Caring and connect with us in the coming days!