TEAM RUBICON IS THE FRONTLINES ACROSS THE NATION FIGHTING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Their offices may seem quiet at the moment, but for Gateway company Team Rubicon, work has not slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has accelerated.
Not only did the disaster relief organization founded by veterans turn to a work-from-home stance, it also pivoted from helping survivors of natural disasters—such as Hurricane Dorian—to helping Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
In the last three months, Team Rubicon has been assisting with feeding operations, standing up field medical hospitals, and helping run coronavirus testing centers—such as the one currently operating at LA’s Exposition Park. Oh, and their volunteers have also been responding to a tornado or two.
“In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve done everything from partner with the Patient Advocate Foundation to provide emergency food assistance to Americans with cancer, MS, and rheumatoid arthritis to launch an initiative that enables any person to respond to their community’s needs through safe individual acts of service,” said Team Rubicon Co-founder and CEO Jake Wood. “We’re built to serve, and we’re going to find a way to help people on their worst days.”
As of the end of May, Team Rubicon’s volunteers had already helped package and deliver more than 15 million pounds of food, test more than 600 people for COVID-19, and helped care for 1,550 patients at the Navajo Nation, in Arizona.
While their Gateway offices may remain mostly shuttered for a while longer, Team Rubicon is actively recruiting new volunteers (teamrubiconusa.org/volunteer) for what promises to be a busy summer: Hurricane season begins on June 1, followed by California wildfire season. Natural disasters this year are especially likely to hit hard at communities already disadvantaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
By pairing the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals, and technology solutions, Team Rubicon aims to provide the greatest service and impact possible. Through continued service, Team Rubicon seeks to provide veterans with three things they lose after leaving the military: a purpose, gained through disaster relief; community, built by serving with others; and identity, from recognizing the impact one individual can make. Coupled with leadership development and other opportunities, Team Rubicon looks to help veterans transition from military to civilian life.
