Katlyn’s fellow charge nurse and herself were interested in putting together gift bags to say “THANK YOU” to their amazing staff for all of their dedication and hard work over the past few months.

In her email to us, Kate explained, “When I decided to work at LAC-USC ED, I knew I had to be ready to face the unknown. We experienced the N1H1, SARS, Ebola, Measles Outbreak, Salmonella, and now - Covid19. I am proud to be working with amazing people who are ready to work in all situations. Covid19 is the most heartbreaking and stressful of them all. We have coworkers who got sick from it. We have close family and friends that suffered from it and some that we lost. Yet, we are here everyday to serve the community and praying that (this day or any day) should NOT be the day I take this disease home.”

As a rapid response fund, our goals are to be flexible, to take risks on new projects, and to trust what is at the core of our work, which is to have deep trust for black, indigenous and people of color organizers, and people who are closest to the problems. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that you have to be prepared for everything and that you have control over very little. Our goals are centered around our values.

We wanted to allude to the fact that the people who are using their hands are the people who are keeping us going. Ultimately, their hands are what enables humanity to survive during Covid-19 and beyond. They are using their hands to work and to care for people. The hands really were the driver. Creating a physically actionable symbol was extra credit. It was really the idea of the hands that we wanted to exemplify.

There was such a big group to give these pins to. Not only are they important for the people on the frontlines, but also for the people who have been holding down the fort with reduced staff back in the office. They deserve recognition as much as the people on the frontlines. This whole thing is an eye opener, and people are scared. I just know there is a need for us to be out there (swabbing), and if we’re staying safe, the patients can feel comfortable.