Adapted Services In Response to COVID-19

In response to the growing risk of COVID-19, Covenant House is adapting and limiting our services to prevent the spread of the virus in our community. Therefore, as of 4 p.m. today we will be closing our Service Center.

Under normal circumstances, Covenant House is a central hub dedicated to connecting and directing hundreds of vulnerable citizens every day to resources and supportive programs. We recognize that, in these unprecedented times, temporarily closing the doors to our Service Center is in the immediate best interest of the population we serve, our staff members, and our entire community. Our best defense against COVID-19 is to put distance between people who are most at risk in order to protect them and that means separating the hub from the spokes of the wheel. It is essential that we do our part to help flatten the curve and slow the transmission of the virus. Covenant House staff members will begin working from their homes, and there will be no public access to our building, effective Tuesday, March 24.

Despite the temporary closure of the Service Center, our work will not stop. We will continue to provide as much support as possible for our community’s vulnerable citizens while acting in accordance with the health guidelines specified by the CDC. Our food pantry distribution will continue in partnership with Manna Meal. Our Housing Assistance programs will continue assisting nearly 300 clients with the support of our staff through email, phone, and electronic platforms. The Centralized Intake process for individuals experiencing homelessness will temporarily relocate to the Roark-Sullivan Men’s Shelter.

While it may be hard to understand why we would close our doors in this time of crisis, we believe that following the recommendations of the CDC and the guidelines recommended by the state, county, and city to implement social distancing is the best tool we have to prevent the spread of this deadly virus. As in much of our work, successful prevention strategies may appear invisible, but missteps in response to this highly infectious disease could have catastrophic impacts on the population we hope most to protect, and the greater community.

Covenant House remains committed to ensuring that all members of our community are treated with dignity. In light of the current health crisis, this means doing everything in our power to help meet the basic needs of our community’s most vulnerable while continuing to look out for the health and safety of our entire community.

To protect the health and well-being of staff, volunteers, and our community , Covenant House will limit services and follow the attached protocols.

Ellen Allen, Executive Director 304-344-8053, extension 20.