Rihanna's philanthropic work continues to shine bright as the pop star and Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey have teamed up again for another cause.
Announced via the pop titan’s Clara Lionel Foundation, the two have donated another $15 million to mental health services. "Racial injustices perpetrated by systems built to keep people safe are exacerbating the coronavirus’s mental health impact on individuals and families across the United States. Even as the majority of states have begun lifting restrictions in recent days, millions of Americans continue to face daunting challenges when it comes to their health, mental and economic wellbeing," the foundation said in a statement.
The foundation, which was set up in 2012, continued on by pointing out particular cities like Newark and Chicago, which have been particularly hit by the respiratory virus and racial tension as of late. "In Newark, which has one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the country, senior citizens, low-income families and homeless individuals are facing impossible decisions everyday: whether to buy groceries or pay utility bills, risk eviction or risk crowded shelters. In Chicago, racial disparities are contributing to alarmingly disproportionate rates of infection and death among Black and Brown people," the statement continued. "And throughout the U.S., mental health and suicide prevention support providers—particularly those serving children, at-risk students and LGBTQ youth—have seen a dramatic rise in demand for their services,” they added. “On June 18, in partnership with Jack Dorsey’s #StartSmall initiative, we are donating more than $15 million to organizations focused on addressing mental health issues, food insecurity, income loss and the needs of individuals excluded from federal stimulus programs in Newark and Chicago."
Among the organizations that will benefit from the generous donation include The Child Mind Institute, JED Foundation, Trevor Project, Bright Star Community Outreach, Network’s Crisis Response Fund, Greater Chicago Food Depository, West Side United, Chicago Parks Foundation, Resurrection Project’s Cash Assistance Fund, Newark Working Kitchens, La Casa de Don Pedro Rental Relief Program and Newark Emergency Services.
If you've been counting, the Clara Lionel Foundation and its partners have raised a whopping $36 million for coronavirus relief. Click here to learn more about how you can help!
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