COVID-19 | Vanessa Fuentes

COVID-19 Message

Please be sure to follow all medical guidance at this time and continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask or face covering. By following these safety measures it is a form of supporting each other as a community during this time and keeping our hospital system from being overwhelmed with too many cases at one time.

I serve my community with heart & soul every day.

Here are the actions I have taken to address the needs of our community during this unprecedented time:

Advocated for the reopening of CommUnityCare Health Clinics and the addition of COVID-19 testing sites in the Eastern Crescent
Organized free meal delivery for seniors, immunocompromised, and immigrant neighbors in Del Valle
Published an op-ed about ways my generation can help amid the pandemic
Monitored JP 4 Court evictions proceedings on behalf of the Eviction Solidarity Network
Wrote a letter of support on behalf of Urban Roots to bring healthy food to Dove Springs
Supported and highlighted local small businesses in District 2
Drafted a resolution for the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission around the health disparities facing the Latino community
Moderated a virtual conversation on the impact of COVID-19 on Austinites experiencing homelessness with Austin Community College Trustee Julie Ann Nitsch
Volunteered multiple times withCentral Texas Food Bank to hand out over 1,700 meals to families in need in Southeast Austin
Testified before the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board for emergency response funding for nutritious food access to help neighbors in need
Assembled face shields for essential workers, including emergency services personnel
Secured the donation of over 2,300 Personal Protective Equipment masks for health care workers at CommUnityCare

There’s too much at stake to sit on the sidelines. This pandemic has magnified what many of us have already known. There are deep structural inequities in our community. These last few months, we have seen report after report highlighting how our community has one of the highest rates of COVID-19, compounded with high rates of unemployment claims. For decades our families have struggled with food and health care access which has now been exacerbated by the pandemic.

I believe in an Austin that is better for everyone. I am committed to servant leadership and have been working hard every day to ensure that our community has the resources needed, as well as timely, accurate, and culturally relevant information. We can confront this crisis as an opportunity to build community resilience. During this public health crisis and economic slowdown, it's important that we come together for the health and safety of our community.

Our campaign volunteer team is practicing social distancing guidelines and all necessary safety precautions. We have been calling to check-in on our elderly neighbors, organizing no-contact grocery and essentials deliveries, and distributing meals to families in need.

If you are in need and would like more information, please email or call at 512-790-4318. We are here to help and will connect you with resources and assistance.

Yours in community,

Vanessa Fuentes

Vanessa for Austin City Council, District 2