Tough Times, Tough Decisions

We have made the difficult decision to close the shelter for the time being.  For the safety of our many volunteers, staff and shelter guests, we have moved our families into a hotel until they find housing.

We have no reason to believe that any of our guests, or staff have contracted or been exposed to Covid 19.  If we find out differently we will contact all volunteers who have been to the shelter for the last 4 weeks.

We will follow all state, National and CDC recommendations and open again when we can do so safely.

Thank you for all you do, for your generosity and hearts for the homeless in northern Washington County.  Feel free to share this blog link with your volunteers and I will keep posting to keep us in unity.

Stay well

Working Plan for Corona Virus

Hello staff and Volunteers,

Here is our "working plan": (meaning it is a flexible document and will most likely be updated as we know more things)

• If a shelter guest would come to the shelter and say they have been in contact with a known Covid19 symptomatic person we would,  isolate and separate following CDC guidelines-  , contact the hotline, report and get our next steps from them. 651-201-3920. 
• Separation would include:

• Meals separate from other families 
• adjustments made so they have a private bathroom 
• set up schedules for laundry so they are the only one using at any given time 
• sanitize after use etc
• If a shelter guest would come to the shelter and they, themselves are symptomatic (but we don't know if it is a cold, flu or other virus) we would follow the same procedure.  Call the hotline, and follow their directions 651-201-3920. As well as isolate and separate following CDC guidelines- 
• If a shelter guest has a confirmed case of Covid 19 this is how we would proceed:

1. We would send staff home to self quarantine: see guidelines here Cd=DC Corona Virus Fact Sheet
2. We would contact all volunteers that had been at the shelter dating back 2 weeks from the time the guest first showed symptoms, and give them the above resource as well 
3. We are in contact with Washington County to see where they will house homeless populations who contract Covid 19.  Our guests would need to go there and the shelter would be closed for 2 weeks or until we get the all clear. 

It's a "working plan" so may change, but that is what we have talked about for today.  Taylor, please share with Volunteer coordinators.

Deep Peace,

Carrin

Minnesota State Health Link

CDC link

3 Families, Odd Shifts

We have three families in the house and they are all moving targets!  We have some working evenings, some working swing shifts and some working evenings this week but then moving to day shift.  We are so happy they have jobs, so happy they are working their plan, and so happy to have flexible volunteers.

Sometimes we have had to call off our dinner volunteers because everyone is working, but it looks like we are settling into a new normal.

As always, thanks for all you do.

By The Way, Did you know that you can have your volunteers request to have an e-mail sent to them when there is a Blog update?

Down to "2" For the Moment!

We are down to 2 families.  If quiet evenings are your thing...this is the place to get them right now.  Of course that could all change by Monday, but for now it is all about Christmas Peace.

Soooooo Quiet

Silence:
Okay we are not quite silent but in the last couple of weeks we moved 7 kids and 3 adults out of shelter.  So it seems very quiet for the time being, and to be honest we are enjoying a few moments of quiet.

But that can all change in a day as we know.

Here's what's coming up.
Nov 30:

• Common Area Cleaning Day; (Living Room, Play Room, Dining Room, Laundry)
• AND Tree Set up

Full House

Wow!  We are packed!  Every room has a family in it.  In fact we have one family where the dad comes for dinner and hangs out for a while and then has to leave so we don't break fire code!  Can't believe we are headed into our second academic year already.  It is a great place for families.  Thanks everyone!

Sleeping Shifts

WHAT?1?1?

I just found out that last winter we had a volunteer who did an overnight shift and was up every hour letting a guest in and out the door all night to smoke.

AHHHHH I wish I had known that.  That is NOT Okay!

Just so you all, as coordinators, know if a volunteer would write that on the little pieces of paper that we provide for feedback, our process would be for the guest to get a written warning.  (Actually for being this inconsiderate of a volunteer they might have been asked to leave on the spot. They know better!!)

Please feel free to let Taylor or me know immediately if anything out of the ordinary would happen during your week.

Hopefully we see you all along with your team so we have a big group next Tuesday!

Is Anybody Out There?

Hello-O-O-O... So, there is this great option to comment if you have read one of the blogs.  Feel free to go ahead and do that once in a while.  I mean I am not shy about writing to myself, but it does seem a bit silly.

This week: We are having a family move out.  They have been with us for a bit and I, as usual, have grown very fond of them and will feel a little sad when they leave.

So if anyone is interested in flipping a room, let me know.

A New Family

We were very excited to welcome a new family to the shelter this week.  There is always an adjustment period which is to be expected, but things are looking up for them.  Besides moving families from homelessness to being housed, one of the exciting things we do is move them from, fear, guilt and shame to a feeling of safety and hope.

It is a fun buzzing place right now and the kids are enjoying being outside.  We are quickly approaching the anniversary of our first year.  Watch for some excitement surrounding that occasion.

Don't forget B-schedule cleaning this Saturday.  9-Noon. Base boards, Blinds and Basement!

Thanks for all you do!

FLIP-FLOP A Room

We have a family moving out tomorrow.  Time to changeover her room!  It's been a great experience for her and we are happy to see her into her own place.  Let me know if you want to help change a room over

Spring Cleanup...B schedule. Sat. May 25

May 25th 9a.m. - Noon is spring cleaning day.  We will concentrate on the 3 Bs

1. Baseboards
2. Blinds
3. Basement

The baseboards and blinds need dusting and wiping down.  The basement has great storage shelves with no organization at present.  So it is a great time to ask parishioners to help, even if they don't want to be dinner or overnight volunteers.  Also...Does anyone have a labeling gun?

Go in And Out The Window, Go In And Out The Window, As We Have Done Before

One Family Out...Another In.  Just like that!
We are so happy to have our new family move in upstairs.  2 Little 4 year old twins, and an 18 month old brought their mom to a place where she can catch her breath for a bit.  She is exhausted and a little overwhelmed. (The kids assimilated in about 5 minutes and were best friends with everyone in 6!)  It will be a short visit as her plan to exit is for May 2.

So if you have a group that would like to do a room change over on May 3. Let us know!

Room Changeover List

• Wipedown all flat surfaces with disinfectant wipes, Lysol, or Mr. Clean including:
• Hangers
• Closet rod
• Door and window frames (Both sides of door frames)
• Blinds
• Floorboards
• Bed frames and posts
• Window sills
• End table top, sides, inside drawer and and shelves
• Arms, legs and back of chair
• Laundry basket
• Waste paper basket
• Door knobs
• Switch plates
• Blinds
• Blind pulls
• Run Shampoo caddy through dishwasher
• Wash all linens (including  pillows) on Hot
• Dry all linens on sanitize
• Vacuum

AWESOME BASEMENT

The last phase of the basement is finished.  
You have to come check it out.  An Eagle Scout named Kyle and some of his scouting friends (and only a little adult supervision) came in, turned the floor into cushy awesomeness, added fun lights, chalk boards and love.  WOWZER!

Great Energy/Great Volunteers

We still have a house full!

All five bedrooms have families in them.  The ladies were alarmed at first when the new family was a mom and dad.  They didn't realize that it wasn't just for single moms as that had been the demographics until our newest family arrived.  Now the poor dad is busy fixing everyone's car and lifting things. Ha!

The kids are antsy with Spring finally arriving.  It is nice for them to be outside.

We have had some HUGE accomplishments.  Families are working their programs, and making really nice progress to change past circumstances and start a new way of doing things.

And two BIG accomplishments for the kids.  Our littlest friend did what every little guy wants to do and learned how to ride a "big-boy bike."  It is about 14 inches off the ground, pink, has training wheels and sparkly streamers on the handlebars, but that didn't matter one bit!  Our five year old friend accomplished the greatest thing a five year old can accomplish...she turned six.  Celebrations all around!

Every dynamic, every change of guests, seasons, and mood presents new challenges and excitement.  Your volunteers are the best things that have ever happened in the lives of some of our guests.  Thank you so much.

Our Sweetest Guests!/Everyone Loves a Party

Always Something Fun

Last month we celebrated  Valentines day, and two of our guests birthdays. One of the families made Valentines, and we always have cake and singing for birthdays. There is always something fun happening at the SAFS in Hugo.  Let us know how we can help your parishioners get involved.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar

As Mary Poppins says, "With every job that must be done, there is an element of fun..."
Well what could be better than a Pre-Lenten Clean up at the shelter.
Saturday March 2 from 10-Noon, we are hoping to gather a crew with these 4 things in mind:

1. Touch up paint where needed
2. Wipe down blinds
3. Baseboards and floors
4. Spiff up the volunteer bedroom

Please pass this on to your team and let Taylor know if you can make it

It is so much noisy, crazy fun right now.  We have five moms who are all working hard at getting permanent housing for their families.  Three of them are working in the medical field, one works as an administrator and one in the school system. They are overcoming obstacles and really going after it. The best part for me is watching them come together and support each other.  It is truly a "Family" shelter right now.  We have kids from 6 months to 13 years old.  I LOVE every minute I am there it just has great hope-filled energy,  Hope Lives in Hugo for sure!! 

Looking for help  Feb 24- March 2   here is the link  Feb 24- March 2    

3 Lunches , 6 Breakfasts, a Snack and a Coffee Mug

If you haven't been at the shelter for a while, you are missing a whole bunch of fun.  We have a noisy, full, wonderful group of women and children.

The lunch and breakfast schedule is a moving target every day and pretty comical to explain.

It's AWESOME!.. These women all have jobs, they are looking for vehicles, and affordable housing.

We are so lucky to be in this together.

WE ARE FULL!

Wow! Amazing joy filled energy. That's the only way I can describe  what's going on at the shelter right now.  For the first time all 5 rooms are filled.  We have kids from 5 months to 13.  All our moms have jobs, and the schedule is an energizing jambalaya of comings and goings.  We have a few weeks open in February yet, so feel free to reach out to your people who are looking to do more volunteering.