Update to Our Community: COVID-19 Response

Dear Working Solutions Community,

It is hard to believe that two months have passed since the San Francisco Bay Area enacted its shelter-in-place orders. In the coming weeks and months, as our region, state, and country grapple with how to safely reopen our economy, Working Solutions remains deeply committed to supporting our small business community.

I am proud of Working Solutions and our quick and effective response to the pandemic. Since March, we have accomplished the following as an economic first responder through our multi-phased COVID-19 strategy:

• Supported the 400+ clients in our active portfolio with consultations, assessments, and actionable resources and information, resulting in continued repayment activity from the majority of our borrowers;

• Deployed $500,000 to make emergency grants to 90 extremely low-income small business owners in partnership with the City of Oakland, with another $1 million in grant funding in the pipeline to serve additional communities across the Bay Area;

• Advocated for recovery products at state and national levels that will support small businesses in the months to come;

• Positioned our team to continue lending during the peak of the crisis while also launching our own recovery loan product with special terms; and

• Received media coverage as an experienced service provider, with interviews on both KCBS Radio’s ‘Ask An Expert’ program for small business owners on April 21 and on ABC7 News on April 26.

I am grateful to the Working Solutions staff, Board of Directors, clients, partners, and funders for making our work possible. Thank you all for being part of our community.

With appreciation,
Sara Razavi
CEO
Working Solutions