Garrie Vereen Relief Fund

 

THANK YOU!

As of July 1st, 2020, Nuçi’s Space has suspended distribution of funds from the Garrie Vereen Memorial Emergency Relief Fund. Since activating this fund on March 20th our community has raised almost $130,000 to distribute to those in need. We have had over 425 people request over $172,000 during this time. The need for assistance was felt so deeply we were receiving requests from Seattle, Los Angles, Denver, New York City and Chicago. Although we were unable to help everyone who applied, the fund distributed over $110,000 to 310 recipients living and working in the Athens area entertainment industry.    

The next step for the Garrie Vereen Memorial Emergency Relief Fund is to reorganize our application review and funding distribution systems so that we will be ready to assist our community in this way again if necessary. Currently we are refocusing our efforts to prepare for the reopening of Nuçi’s Space. Although we don’t have a firm date set, we have been working hard during the past month to ensure that our staff, customers and clients will be safe when we do reopen.   

Supporting Nuçi’s Space

The Garrie Vereen Memorial Emergency Relief Fund is well-funded and should meet the needs of our community for the foreseeable future. However, Nuçi’s Space, like many other small businesses, continues to struggle as we work hard to reopen our doors in a safe, responsible and effective way. Please consider making an unrestricted donation to Nuçi’s Space to help us keep our doors open and focus on our mission of suicide prevention and support of those with brain illness.

All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your contribution.

Please help us to spread the word.

The Next Covid Crisis Could Be a Wave of Suicides 

Thank you so much to our donors who contributed to the Garrie Vereen Memorial Emergency Relief Fund.

3/27/2020

In early March watched our venues, bars, restaurants and other local businesses close because of the COVID-19 pandemic and health crisis, devastating our local economy. Our music & arts community and service industry has been reeling, leaving thousands of people without work, without income and without a clear end in sight.

The obstacles before us are real and daunting. Athens is a college town without students right now. We have a service-industry economy without customers. I have faith that our local leaders, both elected and emergent, will fight for us and pull us together. We must continue to do our part by following CDC-recommend health guidelines. The road ahead will be difficult. We will be challenged, but we will overcome it, together.

Despite having to close our doors to the public, Nuçi’s Space is continuing to work for, and champion, the entrepreneurs and creative community who make Athens, GA so special.

In mid-March, Nuçi’s Space established the “Garrie Vereen Memorial Emergency Relief Fund” to support musicians, artists, crew, and venue employees, and everyone who makes our world-renown entertainment industry thrive. Our goal is to help our peers who will be hit the hardest by the economic shut-down and not eligible for assistance through traditional channels. Thank you to everyone who has donated to this fund. As of mid-May, we have raised and distributed over $93,000 to musicians and entertainment industry workers in need.

Now is the time to show our appreciation to the thousands of employees and creators who work behind the scenes to keep our music & arts community alive and thriving.

Garrie Vereen

Garrie Vereen was not only the Equipment Manager for our home-town music heroes, Widespread Panic for over two decades, but was often referred to as the “ambassador for the band to the rest of the music world.”

Garrie took his own life in February 2011. In a post shared by Widespread Panic, shortly after Garrie’s passing, they said “He set the example for loyalty, candid honesty, working hard, and a readiness to laugh at any appropriate moment. We benefit from his un-wavering example because he was being all that, and I sincerely submit that he was and is the best of us.” The post continues, “Garrie was also the ‘go to guy’ outside of the rock and roll arena. One of many friends described him as the ‘neighborhood fixit man,’ helping put things (anything) back in working order when he knew he could be of help.”

In our opinion, there is no person better to honor, through the good works and actions of this fund, than Garrie Vereen.

If you are seeking assistance through this fund please complete the online request form here: https://nuci.wufoo.com/forms/z1iubk020e38ol2/

If you wish to make a restricted donation to the Garrie Vereen Memorial Emergency Relief Fund through Nuçi’s Space, please following this link https://nuci.wufoo.com/forms/z1tm56nf1iaecix/

If you’d rather write a check, please send it to Nuçi’s Space / 396 Oconee Street / Athens, GA / 30601 The check should be made out to Nuçi’s Space and “Garrie Vereen Fund” written at the bottom of the check.

All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your contribution.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO REFERENCE THIS PAGE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES FROM OTHER WORTHY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO KEEP OUR ATHENS MUSIC, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY ALIVE AND THRIVING.

Economic Relief Resources for  Athens Area Music/Entertainment Industry Workers

Re: Coronavirus // COVID-19

This is a listing of direct economic aid resources that may be accessed by Athens area music industry workers. It also includes any coronavirus-related direct economic aid that can potentially be accessed by anyone living in Athens. 

If an artist or worker is a member of a union or professional organization, they should contact the organization(s) they are a member of about member-specific financial assistance opportunities.

Direct Financial Resources for Athenians Generally

  • GA Dept. of Labor – Unemployment Benefits, including for temporary loss of hours due to COVID-19 closures. It can apply to part-time workers. Must have documentation.

  • The Ark – For ACC residents who are just able to make ends meet until an unexpected job loss (through no fault or decision of their own), reductions of hours, or unexpected medical or auto expense puts them in danger of being evicted and/or losing utilities.

    • 640A Barber St., Athens, GA 30601

    • 9a – 12:30p Mon – Fri

    • 706-548-8155

  • Cornerstone Church – Assistance with rent and utilities – bring the bill or rental agreement.

    • 4680 Lexington Rd, Athens, GA 30605

    • 9a – 5p Mon – Thu

    • 706-549-0000 // info@cornerstoneathens.cc

  • Ebenezer Baptist Church, West – Rent and utility assistance; Walk-Ins welcome

    • 205 N Chase Street, Athens, GA 30606

    • 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm MON – THU

    • 706-613-9278

  • Hill Chapel Baptist Church – Rent, utility, and medical assistance; Walk-Ins welcome

    • 1692 West Hancock Ave, Athens, Georgia 30606

    • 10:00 am to 11:30 am WED

    • 706-543-1377

  • The Salvation Army – Financial assistance with utilities, rent, and prescriptions

    • 484 Hawthorne Ave., Athens, GA 30606

    • 9:00 am to noon, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm MON – FRI

  • St. Joseph’s Charities – Financial assistance with rent, utilities, and non-narcotic prescriptions.

    • Address: 535 Hawthorne Ave., Athens, GA 30601

    • 10a – 12p Mon – Wed

Financial Assistance for Food Service Workers & Bartenders

  • Giving Kitchen – Should apply to bartenders.

  • USBG – Specifically for bartenders and their families.

Financial Assistance for the Music Industry 

Atlanta

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research, 2020 Howell Mill Road Suite C-276, Atlanta, GA 30318(678) 848-9424 is providing hardship grants info@seancostellofund.org 

Nationally

  • MusiCares Relief Fund – For “music industry professionals” with at least 5 years of experience. Must provide documentation. $ is paid to a third party and not directly to the person.

  • Sweet Relief is providing immediate assistance specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus. Funds available for medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food and other vital living expenses to those impacted due to sickness or loss of work. Applicants must provide the following: A completed Application. Supplementary documentation proving that at least 50% of all income comes from working within the music community. Proof of cancellations and bookings. Relevant medical documentation.

Assistance for Specific Genre Musicians

Gospel

  • Gospel Music Trust Fund– Folks in the gospel music field can submit an application for financial assistance in the event “of an emergency or major catastrophe, terminal or severe illness.

Blues

  • Blues Foundation – Requests for funding should be made by contacting The Blues Foundation directly. Upon contacting the foundation, you will be asked to complete a short application form. A committee will then review your application to ensure that the individual qualifies and the request is for health-related financial needs.

MORE TO COME…

The National Disaster Distress line is taking calls concerning COVID-19. The Helpline is open to everyone. This includes survivors of disasters; loved ones of victims; first responders; rescue, recovery, and relief workers; clergy; and parents and caregivers. You may call for yourself or on behalf of someone else.
To connect with a live DDH crisis counselor 24/7 via SMS, from the 50 states text “TalkWithUs” for English or “Hablanos” for Spanish to 66746. Spanish-speakers from Puerto Rico can text “Hablanos” to 1-787-339-2663.

Resource Listings & Aggregators

 
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