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Sánchez Re-introduces Legislation to Boost Nonprofit Workforce During Pandemic

March 17, 2021

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), member of the House Ways and Means Committee, along with Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-6), Mark Pocan (WI-2), Don Beyer (VA-8), and Brad Schneider (IL-10), reintroduced legislation today to help nonprofit organizations meet an increase in demand for their services due to the coronavirus pandemic while helping newly unemployed Americans get back to work. The Work Opportunities and Resources to Keep Nonprofit Organizations Well (WORK NOW) Act will create a major new grant program to help nonprofit organizations retain their employees, scale their service delivery, and provide unemployed Americans with new jobs serving their communities.

Companion legislation is being led in the Senate by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

"Nonprofit organizations provided some of the most essential services throughout this pandemic. This is especially true for our most vulnerable communities who relied on charitable nonprofit organizations for support in homeless shelters, food banks, and domestic violence shelters," said Congresswoman Linda Sánchez. "As they handle the increased demand and adhere to social health guidelines, these organization need help expanding services and hiring, training, and retaining employees. The WORK NOW Act will ensure our nonprofit organizations continue to meet the needs of our community and will help get Americans back to work."

"From food banks, to shelters, to counseling centers, charitable organizations are doing incredible work to help people get through this pandemic," said Senator Amy Klobuchar said. "As demand for their services continues to soar, many of these organizations are struggling financially. We need to help charitable nonprofits keep their doors open, scale their invaluable services, and provide opportunities for unemployed Americans to return to work serving their communities."

The legislation is endorsed by over 100 organizations across the country, including the following groups: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Child Welfare League of America; Girls Inc.; Goodwill Industries; Habitat for Humanity; Independent Sector; Jewish Federations of North America; Lutheran Services in America; March of Dimes; MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership; Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC); National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; National Community Action Foundation; National Council of Nonprofits; Legal Services Corporation, Spina Bifida Association; Union of Orthodox Jewish; United Way; YMCA; YWCA USA; After-School All-Stars Hawai'i; Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i; Ceeds of Peace; Hawai'i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations; Hawai'i Children's Action Network; Maui Economic Opportunity; Parents and Children Together; Aspire Minnesota; Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota; The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits; Momentum Nonprofit Partners; St. David's Center for Child & Family Development; Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis; and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

"America's 1.3 million charitable nonprofits embody the best of America. They feed, heal, shelter, educate, inspire, enlighten, and nurture people across the country. But with even more people relying on them now, nonprofits need help in meeting the enormous demand created by the coronavirus pandemic," said Tim Delaney, President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. "The WORK NOW Act is a crucial piece of legislation that will help nonprofits retain and rehire their employees, expand services to meet the skyrocketing human needs, and put unemployed men and women back to work for the common good. This is a well-designed bill to accelerate the economic recovery."

"Since day one of the COVID-19 pandemic, community-serving organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs have played a crucial role in recovery and response," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We're thankful for the leadership of Senator Klobuchar through her sponsorship of the WORK NOW Act which would enable Clubs to continue providing critical community support while helping us meet the increased demand and cost for these vital services. Nonprofits support communities in their time of need-- it's time to support them in theirs."

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