The Inclusive Action for the City organization helps this group with prepaid cards to help each other in this time of the pandemic.
Six weeks ago Norma Valeriano received the order to stay home as a bucket of cold water. As a street vendor and small business owner in south central Los Angeles, her earnings depend on her sales.
"With what is happening we have not paid the rent this month from where I live or from my premises," Valeriano said, unable to hold back tears. "We try to follow the rules and stay closed because we are non-essential business."
The 62-year-old woman said that she and her husband, 64, kept their expenses up to date and have no savings. Now they live worried about how long they will be without work. Both fall into the group most vulnerable to COVID-19 contagion, which if not treated in time could be fatal.
"One is afraid for health, but grasps the hands of God," said the saleswoman.
On Saturday they tried to sell on the street where they usually hang out on weekends, but city officials forced them to close their stall.
"The boy gave us a warning ticketHe said that we did not have to go to court, but he did get my identification data, "Valeriano said.
Claudia Vigil, another street vendor who also sells in the same area as Valeriano, said that since they made the announcement to stay home, she has followed the orders, despite the fact that this involves not making a profit from her street sales.
"At home I live with my parents who are older, with my 9-year-old son and I don't want to put them at risk," Vigil said.
The young mother added that since she has no income, what she does is go to churches, to school, wherever they give food, she goes and gets trained.
"When I get home I take my clothes off and put them in a bag with alcohol because they say that the virus is also in my clothes and when I am away I don't want to infect my family," Vigil added.
Receive financial aid
Valeriano, Vigil, and more than 80 street vendors in their area recently received unexpected but much-needed help; prepaid cards with $ 400. These cards are specifically for street vendors who have been severely affected by the coronavirus.
The cards are part of a relief fund run by the non-profit organization Inclusive Action for the City, which advocates for building strong local economies.
His GoFund Me fundraising page already reported more than $ 75,000 accumulated.
Maribel Garcia, economic development associate at Inclusive Action for the City, said the organization began noticing about two weeks before the order to stay home was announced, that the vendors' economy was going to suffer.
"Where we really based ourselves was through a microcredit program that is part of our organization and we provide small microcredits to street vendors and other entrepreneurs," said Garcia.
"We were concerned that they might not meet not only our loan payments, but also their obligations for basic needs, including water and utilities," he added. "These are communities that we have previously been affected by other situations, such as the ICE raids last summer."
The organization then started raising funds in case the situation worsened.
"Fortunately, I think it was a good decision because I think that within a week or two, we already had the order to stay home and people couldn't generate enough to survive," said García.
Once the organization began receiving funds, it received a $ 400 prepaid card for street vendors.
Vigil said she obtained her card and immediately used it to pay her April rent.
"So I say I am not going to go to work to take risks because with the money they gave me it is as if I were working," Vigil said. “I like that they are not leaving us alone and they help us. There are many sellers who do not know how to get information and I have also told them. "
For her part, Valeriano said that she used the money to buy food and put gas in her car.
"My husband and I are very grateful that (Vigil) helped us fill out the application and they are helping us," said the vendor.
Now she just waits patiently for her federal stimulus check to arrive in the mail, which she does qualify for having legal status in the country.
Garcia said that the delivery of the prepaid cards will continue indefinitely, but for now they are only making one-time deliveries per family.
He said that so far in Los Angeles County they have awarded nearly 300 cards and hope to deliver another 150 this week.
"But we also take them with other resources, for example, some of our partner organizations offer formula milk, diapers and other available baby supplies," said Garcia. "We are also making referrals to anyone who has concerns about rent, legal agencies and organizations that are doing this probono work."
Garcia said people interested in getting help can visit www.inclusiveaction.org or send an email to forthevendors@gmail.com
People interested in donating to the fund can visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/street-vendor-emergency-fund
