The Importance of Community Partnerships in Nonprofit and Business Responsiveness to COVID-19; Success Stories From the Field

Since 2019, the global health crisis created by the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease has had widespread human, economic, and social impacts. This crisis has heightened our awareness of preexisting health disparities, the slow pace of bureaucratic decision-making, and the increased demands on our health care systems to access, mobilize, and successfully utilize resources. LiveWell, a nonprofit aging services provider, and Bird’s Eye Medical, a for-profit health care organization, were both adept in their ability to leverage community partnerships to meet critical health care needs in their local communities, demonstrating foresight, creativity, and expandable key practice measures. Bird’s Eye Medical and LiveWell developed innovative, community-based approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on purpose and service to their communities, and took quick action in scientific-based practices while prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations. Two case studies are examined to answer the question, “What can we learn from the successes of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what shifts could we implement to encourage increased cross-sector collaborations?”