Rihanna and Jay-Z have joined forces and donated $2 million (£1.6 million) to coronavirus relief efforts.
Their foundations – Riri’s Clara Lionel Foundation and Hov’s Shawn Carter Foundation – have together donated the money to relief efforts in New York City and Los Angeles.
They will support undocumented workers, those who are incarcerated, the homeless and elderly populations and children of frontline healthcare workers.
Rihanna posted to Instagram: ‘A huge thank you to JAY-Z’s@shawncartersffor joining us in giving a combined $2 million to the#MayorsFundforLA #FundforPublicSchools@aclu_nationwide&@thenyicfor COVID-19 response in support of undocumented workers, children of frontline health workers and first responders, and incarcerated, elderly and homeless people in the United States.’
New York City is currently considered the global epicentre of the pandemic, and the foundations will advocate for free Covid-19 testing to all residents regardless of their status. Rihanna’s post read: ‘Please join us in supporting: Mayor’s Fund for LA, the Fund for Public Schools, The American Civil Liberties Union, New York Immigration Coalition.’
The money will provide food, daycare and learning materials to frontline worker’s children, and also provide materials to more than 20 thousand children in shelters and virtual mental health care for parents. Home-delivered meals will be expanded to the elderly and homeless people. The two foundations will fight for the released of those in prison and detention.
Gloria Carter, Jay-Z’s mum and CEO of his foundation, said: ‘In times of crisis it is imperative that we come together as one community to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to critical needs: shelter, health, nutrition and education.’ The only way to get through this pandemic is with love and action.’
Meanwhile, Rihanna’s foundation recently donated $5 million (£4.2. million) to aid the coronavirus response.
A statement given to People magazine read: ‘CLF is supporting on-the-ground partners working on the frontlines of disaster response especially those focused on protecting and serving marginalised communities – helping the most vulnerable in the United States, the Caribbean and in Africa prepare for what is to come.’
Photo Credit: Getty
