Here's What's Happening with HAAM and COVID-19
Over the last few days and weeks, HAAM has been working diligently to gather resources and funds to provide immediate assistance to our HAAM members within the music community. We understand that musicians need our help now more than ever.
HAAM recently distributed an online survey to members to assess current needs. We have since collected over 600 heartbreaking responses of ways in which they have been and will continue to be affected by COVID-19. What we have heard is that our city’s musicians are REALLY hurting. Our most important message is to let those musicians know we are here and will continue to walk alongside them during these difficult times.
This week, HAAM decided to temporarily extend our services to meet musicians’ immediate basic needs. These programs will help our musicians with basic needs such as rent, groceries, and medical assistance, among others. While our long-standing mission has been to provide access to affordable healthcare for Austin’s low-income working musicians, we find these steps are necessary in the interim to help musicians get back on their feet.
During this time of uncertainty and challenge, we know we are in a unique position in the Austin music community as both a healthcare safety net and a cultural arts supporter.
A message from HAAM's CEO, Reenie Collins regarding COVID-19's impact on the music community. Click to watch.
HAAM, like many in the community, has been hit hard by the closures and cancelations of music events throughout the city, and this means we must work even harder to raise the funds HAAM needs to continue providing our members with care through the entirety of this crisis and beyond.
By our estimation, with the cancellation of Ray Benson’s Birthday Bash and other community-led events through May, HAAM will be at a loss of more than $400,000 in revenue. While our current focus is on immediate ways to help the music community, we are also cognizant of the long-term stability of our organization. Now more than ever, HAAM is needed by musicians. The continued support of the community is imperative to the success and growth of HAAM. Every dollar raised will go directly toward healthcare services for the musicians HAAM serves, and with the help of our healthcare partners every $100 donated results in $700 of direct healthcare services.
As our most loyal supporters, we are reaching out to you to help us continue our mission – we know we have the potential to do a lot of meaningful and necessary work within our music community.
Our musicians are the heartbeat of this city. It is our goal to be here for them during this desperate time of need. We look forward to the day when we can come together as a community to listen to live music!