AS OF APRIL 14, WE DONATED 550 MASKS TO BAJCC.
We are now sending masks to the Richmond City Jail. Please see our GoFundMe: Masks for Richmond City Jail
****UPDATE! AS OF APRIL 8TH, WE HAVE TAKEN 300 MASKS TO BAJCC! THANK YOU RVA! WE WILL UPDATE THIS SITE WITH NUMBERS AND WILL FACILITATE GETTING EXTRA MASKS TO OTHER FOLKS WHO NEED THEM ONCE WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL***
FOR SAFETY, BON AIR HAS REQUESTED ELASTIC TIES FOR MASKS FOR REMAINING MASKS FOR KIDS FOR REMAINING MASKS (IF POSSIBLE)
BON AIR JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL CENTER NEEDS MASKS!
On April 2, 2020, it was reported by multiple news outlets that two staff and one youth in a contracted facility have already tested positive for COVID-19. As this pandemic has spread, it’s confirmed that COVID-19 poses a unique danger to incarcerated people and the staff. working inside these confined spaces.
As of today, April 4th, the youth and staff at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Facility do not have enough of the most basic protective masks that they need in order to protect one another from transmission of this deadly virus. Voices of Jubilee desperately needs your help as we organize to help meet this need. There are over 500 staff and youth at the facility in close quarters and we need masks for all of them.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can make masks! We are following 1708 Gallery’s instructions for SIMPLE masks! We are not requesting n95 masks as these are for medical personnel. BAJCC currently needs cloth masks.
Here are a couple of simple mask tutorials recommended by 1708 Gallery, a PDF of instructions from 1708 Gallery, and another pattern the New York Times.
Please drop your masks at Bon Air Presbyterian Church at 9201 West Huegenot Road, Richmond VA, 23235. Leave them in the collection box by the front door and text Lauren Ramseur (757-513-3588) or Ashley Diaz Mejias (901-412-7014) once you’ve dropped off your masks. Feel free to text or call us if you need to make alternate drop arrangements.
How to Make a Face Mask from the New York Times
Info on Mask Making from 1708 Gallery (see the last page on Simple Mask Making)
2. Donate money or supplies to 1708 Gallery/Studio Two Three (not the BCJ!) — if you cannot make masks you can support the effort by supporting them! They are busy sewing masks for groups in Richmond and have added BAJCC to their priority list — but they need both money and supplies.
If you can help, material donations can be dropped at Studio Two Three at 3300 W Clay St, Richmond, VA 23230 between the hours of 10:00am and 3:00pm Monday - Wednesday. They ask that you please deposit them in the box outside of their main studio entrance
For material donations, Studio Two Three is immediately seeking:
a. Clorox Wipes
b. Medical Gloves
c. Barbasol Sanitizing Tabs
d. Hand Sanitizer
For Cash donations, they can be found on Venmo @StudioTwoThree-S for the associated costs of the production of masks.
3. Finally, if you have unused clean heavy weight cotton material (like quilting material), we can take this to seamstresses who are also helping in the effort to quickly produce masks. Text or call Ashley (901-412-7014) or Lauren (757-513-3588) and we can arrange a safe pickup from you.
Thank you for your help and prayers and for sharing this effort — we recognize that folks are not only fielding a lot of requests for support right now, but are also managing their own community needs and concerns during a difficult time. PLease reach out if you have questions or concerns.
Ashley Diaz Mejias - 901-412-7014/ashleydiaz@gmail.com
Lauren Ramseur - 757-513-3588/lauren.ramseur@gmail.com