The Urban League of NWI wants more people vaccinated against COVID-19.
The league is offering a $50 gift card to Strack & Van Til to residents in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, who show proof of getting fully vaccinated between July 1 and July 31. The initiative is being funded through a grant from the Legacy Foundation.
“Statistics show that communities of color are hesitant to get vaccinated for various reasons,” said Vanessa Allen-McCloud, president and CEO of the Urban League of NWI. “Our campaign will provide the education, resources and incentive that we hope will lead to more people in our neighborhoods getting vaccinated.”
The league also has partnered with Community HealthNet Health Centers and Community Advocates of Northern Indiana on the initiative. Each organization offers COVID-19 vaccination resources.
CHN offers COVID-19 vaccinations while CANI maintains a grassroots community presence sharing information about the importance of getting vaccinated, according to the league.
“We’ve come together as three community-focused organizations committed to educating residents while directing them to resources such as transportation to vaccination clinics as well as assistance for homebound residents,” Allen-McCloud said.
Community HealthNet Health Centers has various locations throughout Lake County where COVID-19 vaccinations are available.
“We are excited about this partnership,” said Dr. Janet Seabrook, CEO of Community HealthNet Health Centers. “The more accurate information we can share about COVID-19 vaccinations, the greater the chance that people will go ahead and get their shots.”
The World Health Organization reported as of July 8, 45.5% or 3,065,237 of the state’s 6,732,219 residents have received at least one of the two required doses and 39.6% or 2,663,219 residents have received both doses. Through July 6, at least 13,482 Indiana residents have died from COVID-19, according to the state’s website dedicated to the crisis.
Community Advocates of Northern Indiana has conducted several COVID-19 vaccination awareness campaigns since the vaccine was introduced earlier this year and continues to look for more ways to reach communities of color that still have low vaccination numbers.
“We want those who are not sure about getting vaccinated to think about the overall safety of their loved ones, community and themselves,” said Tracy Lewis, CEO of Community Advocates of Northern Indiana. “This campaign will help us continue to drive that message.”
