Hope from the Front Lines is a weekly podcast featuring stories of black and brown women who are members of SEIU HCIIMK on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.

In group homes for developmentally disabled adults, the contraction of COVID-19 happens faster, and deadlier than any other population. Not only are these numbers under-researched, but also underreported.

Tanya noticed all the residents were sleeping a lot more than usual. She took temperatures and found a resident with a 104 degree fever. Baker House had become a “hot house.” Residents had contracted COVID-19.

Find out how Tanya and her team kept residents safe and alive – against the odds – in the latest episode of Hope from the Front Lines.

Reporter/Producer bio:

Ariel Mejia (she/her) is a Chicago native who came to audio art and radio production by way of feminist praxis, community organizing and sexual health education. Her work has been featured on the BBC show Shortcuts from Falling Tree Productions, as well as Antibody, a podcast series from Jacobin Magazine’s The Dig. Ariel also teaches audio storytelling to teens and aspires to become a skilled tap dancer. She is most inspired by the magic of human connection, possibilities for transformation, and the changing of the seasons because of their sounds and colors. 

Preview of Episode 3