COVID-19 Navajo and Hopi Elder Support Project

Navajo and Hopi Elders are at greater risk of impacts from COVID-19.  Help us help them by providing food, PPE and cleaning supplies.  

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Covid-19-Navajo-and-Hopi-Elder-Support-Project-114305750270428/

Who are we?

We are a community group comprised of Native American staff of The Navigators and the Flagstaff Redemption faith community.  Central church of Phoenix has also come along side us in providing food supplies and volunteers.  Many of our volunteers are young Native professionals and college students hoping to support their home communities.  We have become a team of volunteer from every tribe, tongue and nation.  It has been nothing short of amazing to work with each and everyone of them.  We  want to help the elderly in the most remote locations by providing food and some household supplies on a biweekly basis during this critical time.  Current Navajo Nation COVID-19 Data:  5,808 positive cases and 269 confirmed deaths

An elder who received a box said, "We haven't left home since (Navajo Nation President) Jonathan Nez told us to stay home. We haven't gone to the store, we just stay here."

Whom does this project serve? 

We aim to serve the Navajo and Hopi elders in the most remote locations.  As our capacity grows and our network expands, we will be better able to serve others.  We are currently servicing 11 communities on the Navajo and Hopi reservations and have delivered over 1000 food boxes since April 15. (see map below in pictures)

That being said, we are making an intentional effort to not post images of the elders who receive resources out of respect for their dignity and privacy. Our goal is to empower local leaders in the communities by dropping off boxes of food and supplies, then allowing them to complete the deliveries to the elders whom they engage with on a regular basis. We do post some photos of our local partners who receive the boxes on behalf of the communities they serve. 

What's the need?

Basically, they need food, PPE and cleaning supplies.  The elderly are in desperate need of specific items—including food and some household items—that will help them remain safe and cared for in their homes during this time. 

Why are there so many cases on the Navajo Nation?

 The Navajo Nation is approximately the size of West Virginia and the Hopi reservation is within its boundaries. Due to the remoteness, 30-40% of the population still lives without running water and electricity. Many also do not have internet access. Family clan systems and cultural norms create communities of interdependency, making it hard to isolate those that are sick from those that are well. High rates of unemployment and overcrowding in reservation residences mean that there is a high potential of entire households catching COVID-19. 

During this time, some of the most vulnerable are the elderly. Most communities on the reservation have a Senior Citizen Center, which can provide hot meals to the elderly as well as comfort and support. Normally, these elderly are picked up at their homes and brought to the centers to be cared for. Due to the physical distancing guidelines, they are no longer being brought to these centers.  

How can you help?

We hope to service 500 elders every two weeks for the next four months or until things begin to normalize. That's 1,000 food boxes a month for the next four months, a total of 4,000 food boxes. We are looking to raise $160,000. Redemption Church Flagstaff is acting as our financial management sponsor.





Current Status as of April 24, 2020: 
100 boxes have been packed in Phoenix and will be transported to northern Arizona soon. 



Below are photos from the first delivery in April: