Why We Invested
At the onset of COVID-19 in the United States, Imaginable Futures took quick action to support child care providers and families. From increased business costs associated with more rigorous santitation processes and loss of payments tied to attendance to the growing need for emergency child care due to school closures, the implications of the COVID-19 on the care economy are far-reaching and complex. The structural flaws in our care system are being exacerbated by this unprecedented pandemic, with child care providers being some of the most vulnerable and highest-risk workers. Our funding to NDWA supports initiatives to raise awareness about child care workers, and more broadly about structural policy change needed in the care economy coming out of this crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing the gaping holes in our social safety net. Low wage workers, including nannies, house cleaners, and home care workers, have always done crucial work without affordable healthcare, job security or paid time off. Everyone must have basic workplace rights and protections, including the right to paid sick time. When any of us don’t, it affects all of us.