Medical professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic are getting support from RCDS alumni who are putting into action the School's motto, Not for Self, but For Service.

Erin Alpert '07, a pediatrics resident in New York City, and her brother, Adam Alpert '13, are working to raise funds for personal protective equipment (PPE) for NYC healthcare workers, and Brooklyn-based Jessica Fields '95 is co-organizing a fundraiser providing meals from local restaurants to hospital staff. Both fundraising initiatives have raised over $100,000 for their respective causes.

In a video posted to their PPE fundraising webpage, Erin Alpert said, "My colleagues and I are working tirelessly to keep you and your loved ones safe. In order to do so, we need to also keep ourselves protected. That's why I am working to organize donations of funds and gear, such as masks and gowns, to the hospitals in New York that need them the most."

Reflecting on her experience, Jessica Field's told the Brooklyn Paper, "It's such a win on so many levels, the restaurants are getting business, the hospitals are getting food." She continued, "We've heard from so many people in the community about how this has provided them such a wonderful outlet to feel that they can give back and show their support."

Seth Weissman '01, founder of Urban Standard Capital, began a citywide collaboration of over 20 New York City real estate firms to support health care workers, small businesses, and people experiencing food insecurity. The campaign, which is called Real Estate Has Your Back (#REHasYourBack), has provided 3,000 meals from local restaurants and caterers to healthcare workers and city residents in need, and 2,500 more meals are on the way.

"This is the least we can do for people who are keeping the city running during this crisis," Weissman said in an interview with Real Estate Weekly. "In addition to sending meals to people on the front lines, we are focused on supporting small business tenants and their employees to keep as many people employed as possible. A major goal of #REHasYourBack is to support local restaurant businesses and their employees hardest hit by the quarantine."