ISPE Brazil Affiliate Uses ISPE Foundation COVID-19 Grant to Support Sao Paolo’s Homeless Population
In July, the ISPE Foundation awarded the ISPE Brazil Affiliate a $2500 US COVID-19 Support Match Grant on behalf of its Women in Pharma® COVID-19 project. The grant funded the Brazil Affiliate’s Women in Pharma® efforts to create hygiene kits that included personal protection equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer, shampoo/conditioner, soap, dental products, etc., for the homeless population in São Paolo. On August 1st, members from the ISPE Brazil Affiliate and Women in Pharma® Brazil handed out hygiene kits to over 200 individuals in need. In what was described as an emotional day, testimonial from Women in Pharma® Brazil members demonstrates the ripple effects of performing acts of service impacts that impact us and our respective communities:
“The event made our ISPE Affiliate more visible to our society. Many of our colleagues from the pharma industry and other areas are interested in collaborating with us in the future, not limited to COVID-19 efforts, but throughout the entire year. These colleagues are attracted to the mission of Woman in Pharma®.” In addition, the WIP said that “We could never imagine that more than 200 people in a homeless situation could be so sensitive and thankful, especially in a COVID-19 moment. We made t-shirts with our logos and used face masks and gloves to be protected. Some colleagues brought their spouse and children to assist delivering the goods. Some of our members were very emotional. In response, we have made the decision to promote, donate, and contribute to the Gaivota Social Institute for the Homeless Population every month, because they really need our support.”
The ISPE Foundation is incredibly proud of the ISPE Brazil Affiliate’s and its Women in Pharma® program’s achievements! We hope their actions inspire our network of Affiliates and Chapters to take similar steps and apply for a COVID-19 Support Match Grant. Our final deadline is 01 October 2020. Full guidelines and materials can be found on the ISPE Foundation page.
In addition to the COVID-19 Support Match grant, funds are also available for Student & Young Professional event attendance grant requests. To be eligible for a 2020 Grant, applicants must complete and submit a Grant Request form to the Foundation no later than 01 September 2020. It is our hope that the availability of these grants will enable more students and young professionals to participate in our ISPE events. Interested applicants are able to find our request forms available for download on the ISPE Foundation page.
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