RESOURCES FOR WOMEN
DURING COVID-19

Supporting others through the pandemic

We need community now more than ever

Circles are small groups of women who come together for real talk and peer support. Right now, Circles are meeting virtually and helping each other through the pandemic. We’re a global community and we’re continuing to lean on each other.

Resources to help you get through this

These days, leaning on and supporting our loved ones and community can be life-changing. Crises can also heighten the barriers and biases some groups face. While these problems can’t be solved overnight, it’s important to know how women of all backgrounds are being impacted by COVID-19. Here are some practical tips and critical perspectives for how you can help others in your community. For more resources,
check out our other topics here.

If you’re covering this topic in your virtual Circle this month, read one or more of the pieces below, then discuss as a group using our suggested questions at the end.

This set of curated materials was created in collaboration with our colleagues at Option B. OptionB.Org helps people build resilience and find meaning in the face of adversity.

What to say when people are grieving

How to find the words and gestures to support someone going through a difficult time.

Read on Option B

How you can help people who’ve lost jobs or housing

From fighting xenophobia to providing rent assistance, these organizations are supporting vulnerable groups—and have advice for how you can help.

Read on Vox

How to start a conversation—and why it matters

When your loved ones are facing hardship, one of the best ways to support them is to give them a chance to talk about their experience.

Read on Option B

Supporting your team’s mental health

Whether you own a business, manage a team, or mentor colleagues, Headspace’s free guided meditations and exercises can help you approach your team with compassion.

Read on Headspace

I’m immune compromised & high risk—mutual aid is what’s saving my life

This personal story sheds light on the importance of helping one another, and on how everyone can take care of their community during a crisis.

Read on Medium

5 easy ways to help support your favorite local businesses

Here are a few things you can do as a consumer to help your favorite local businesses stay afloat, especially if your income isn’t affected by COVID-19.

Read on Business Insider

20 ways to support healthcare workers

Here are 20 simple ways that you can support healthcare heroes on the front lines of COVID-19—from donations to supporting those you know.

Read on nurse.org

Coronavirus: Why some racial groups are more vulnerable

From discrimination to language, a variety of factors are affecting why some groups are more vulnerable to coronavirus than others.

Read on BBC

Black women have long faced racism in healthcare. COVID-19 is only amplifying it

A Brooklyn teacher tried three times to get treatment for the coronavirus. Her death reminds us of the implicit racial bias Black Americans face when seeking care.

Read on The Appeal

How to support restaurants without putting food delivery workers at risk

Read tips on what you can do to keep food delivery workers safe while ordering to-go.

Read on Huffington Post

How can we look after older people when coronavirus has made it impossible to see them?

Suggestions for staying connected and supporting elderly friends and relatives when in-person contact isn’t an option.

Read on Quartz

How to support others during the COVID-19 pandemic

Tips and resources curated by the Option B team for how to support others whether they’re dealing with anxiety, the loss of a loved one, isolation with an abusive partner, or elevated risk of poverty and homelessness.

Read on Option B

Discussion questions for virtual Circles

These questions are designed to help you and your Circle members connect over common challenges, share your best strategies to overcome them, and workshop solutions together.

Pick one question to start with and move on to the other questions if you have time.