Why supporting homeless shelters is critical during quarantine
While many of us are
safe within our own homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic, these times
have become especially difficult for those who do not have a place to shelter
in.
Throughout the country,
homeless shelters have been hit hard by this unexpected disaster. Since
COVID-19 is known for being particularly dangerous for those of older age and
people with compromised immune systems, it is incredibly critical to implement
necessary changes to shelters that house such demographics. With a shelter in San Francisco recently reporting 70 cases, the need for
funding and aid to prevent the spread of infection — in a place bound to have a
considerable concentration of human interaction — has become a dire need. Thus,
it’s important to consider how shelters within our own community are coping
with this virus and how we can
help.
The Bridge, a homeless recovery center located in Dallas, has
implemented new policies amidst the crisis. Chief Development Officer Nick
Colletti said that continuous disinfection throughout the day, proper social
separation within the shelter and cooperation of the homeless guests has
allowed them to avoid infection. As shelters have removed beds in order to
implement a safe distance of six feet, the number of homeless individuals with
no shelter in Dallas has increased. In order to combat this, the city is working
to reserve hotel rooms near the Dallas Love Field airport for those who become
potentially ill and have no access to shelter to contain the spread of the
virus. Aid in finding rental properties has also been provided for those who
require housing.
Furthermore, with the
implementation of social distancing, this time can also be critical for those
who suffer from domestic violence. Hope’s Door, an agency located in Plano and
Garland that serves victims of intimate partner and family violence, has also
kept its doors open and has now transitioned to online counseling. While its
resale store has closed, Beth Robinson, director of development, stated that
donation of cleaning supplies would be greatly appreciated as the shelter
continually works to protect its residents. Donations can be dropped on the front porch of the Plano
Outreach office. Current urgent needs are food, financial donations, laundry
soap and hand sanitizer.
As we all seek refuge in our homes, this time can be extremely
tough for those who may not have a place to stay or for those who are victims
to domestic violence. As a student, any kind of
contribution can make a big difference. To help out, one can donate to The
Bridge’s website, the front porch of Hope’s Door or to any other shelter one
may wish to contribute to.
In this time of need, let’s send out a helping hand to our fellow neighbors.