The past few months have been trying for many. The challenges of these times have touched me personally. However, they have also shown me what makes this community special — our collective resolve to help each other. When the COVID-19 crisis hit our area, I immediately suspended our campaign and repurposed our grassroots team to help our neighbors. For me, it was a very easy decision.
Once I saw the success of our initial outreach, our campaign organized an official team to continue the good work of community assistance. We called it the Neighborhood Pandemic Preparedness Team (NPPT), modeled after the Neighborhood Safety Watch program, and for the past few weeks we have been able to empower new neighborhood leaders to help their own communities get through this pandemic.
Our first task was to reach out to the senior citizens of our district during shelter-in-place to make sure that all their needs were met — whether it was picking up prescriptions or delivering groceries, we had a neighborhood volunteer ready and excited to do it. Neighbors also started sending emails and walking door to door leaving flyers saying "I can help." Others pulled out their sewing machines to make masks* for medical professionals fighting the pandemic on the front lines.
There was so much misinformation out there. We held over 23 town hall meetings with healthcare professionals, stimulus package experts, college admission counselors, and more. Check them out at RishiKumar.com/RealityCheck. These town halls provided career advice for those laid-off and grappling for answers, information to local businesses regarding loan applications and how to make use of the stimulus package, and college admissions counseling to parents and students worried about a post COVID-19 world.Our Coronavirus page even provided an informative newsletter that was updated daily by our intern team.
I am so proud of what we have accomplished together. Hundreds of NPPT members have helped thousands of residents so far. This past weekend, we finished calling all 86,000 seniors of our district. Many of our volunteers are young high school and college students who have generously given their time and energy to this program. All of our volunteers have together proven just how much we care about seeing our communities succeed during these trying times.
Here are just a few examples of what we have done:
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Delivered groceries and prescriptions — even favorite coffee orders — to seniors
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Made and donated 4000 masks to the Valley Medical Foundation
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Held over 23 town hall meetings with healthcare professionals, stimulus package experts, college admission counselors, and more.
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Offered Shelter-in-Place Coding classes in Java, Python, and Javascript. Held an Entrepreneurship Bootcamp and a Hackathon for area youth
Through the NPPT, I have seen what makes America special — neighbors helping neighbors. Americans everywhere have brought the best of their intellect, energy, and "can-do" attitude to swoop into action and make a difference in this fight. The American spirit is shining brightly in the darkness. That is the story around COVID-19.
The NPPT is still here, ready to help neighbors in need. In times of crisis, we are committed to reaching out to every single person in our district. If you have a need, or would like to join the team, please reply to this email.
I am emboldened with this opportunity to truly serve and be of help. My primary responsibility will always be to the constituents of this district, and I look forward to collaborating with you as we take on the tough challenges.
In solidarity,
Rishi Kumar,
Candidate for US Congress,
CA District 18
www.rishikumar.com
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Students can get involved in the community by joining the Kumar for Congress 2020 all-year Internship program. There are many opportunities that work for your flexible schedule, that involve pandemic work, community work, political campaign work and activism with specific local challenges.
To get involved, students can submit their info at RishiKumar.com/Fellowship to be invited to a short interview. Our internship is mirrored after the fellowship program of President Obama's winning re-election run in 2012. Last summer the Kumar for Congress team had students participating from Stanford University, Georgetown University, UCLA, Johns Hopkins, U.C. Berkeley, San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, and high schools such as Bellarmine, Palo Alto, Gunn, Lynbrook, Monte Vista, Saratoga, Harker etc.
Rishi won his re-election with the most votes in Saratoga's 60 year election history. Rishi rejects PAC money and Special Interest Group money. Rishi's intern team is currently doing the following pandemic activities: helping neighbors with their groceries, medication pick-ups, making masks, running informational podcasts and town hall meetings, along with a coronavirus newsletter.
Joining the Fellowship Program would allow you to:
- Get a personal letter of recommendation at the end of the program upon request
- Get volunteer hours as per their request
- Earn valuable political and leadership experience while working alongside dozens of your peers
- Have the chance to win MVP awards and get recognized for your achievements at the weekly fellowship meeting as well as campaign gatherings.
- Have the chance to run for the California Democratic Party Executive Board or for a DNC Delegate position during the California Primaries
- Have the chance to earn passes to the California Democratic State Convention. Many of our interns have attended prior conventions and shook hands with Presidential candidates.
Rishi Kumar has won every election (8-0) he has been part of:
- In 2018, Rishi won with the most votes in Saratoga's 60 year election history.
- Rishi set history by being the first Democratic challenger to make it past the primary election in this congressional district
Past Testimonials
"I have been empowered like never before after being a part of the Fellowship program. Rishi is a great mentor, taking the time to get to know each of us, creating leadership opportunities for every intern. He works to bring the best qualities out of you and helps you build upon them. I took advantage of many such opportunities and discovered true empowerment. Today, I am an elected Delegate to the California Democratic Party, with the opportunity to attend the annual CA Democratic state convention. Yes, Rishi opens doors for us as he is a great mentor to have for life. Yes, it is truly a life changing experience and Rishi's leadership team will help enable it for you too. I completely endorse this program. It truly changed my life!"
We have had only 2 competitive congressional races in Silicon Valley. This is a unique opportunity that is not to be missed.
Sincerely,
- Rishi Kumar
RishiKumar.com/contribute
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