Thanks to our dedicated staff, our residential programs continue uninterrupted.
THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT
A few weeks into the crisis, one-year-old Siena* arrived at The Cottage, Wayfinder’s temporary shelter care program. Siena had been removed from an unsafe home and potentially exposed to COVID-19. One of our counselors, Linda, quickly put on protective equipment and cared for baby Siena in an isolation room Wayfinder maintenance staff had prepared. Siena slept peacefully and social workers were able to find a safe, healthy placement for her the next morning.
HEALTHCARE HEROES
Since this crisis began, our nursing team has been providing additional training and updates for staff and seeking out hard-to-find protective gear like masks and gloves, while still seeing our residents around the clock. These healthcare heroes help keep our foster youth and medically fragile children and adults healthy by giving them regular check-ups, dispensing medication, and providing any other necessary medical care. Thanks to their gentle and compassionate demeanor, they have been able to ease residents’ anxieties about the crisis and have educated and trained our staff on the latest public health guidelines. This team of 15 nurses keeps Wayfinder healthy!
SAFE AT HOME
Lenora is a residential counselor in one of our group homes for children. Reflecting on the COVID crisis, she says, “What would I be doing at home? My residents need me more than ever.” She is helping to keep our children engaged with plenty of indoor fun: dancing, teaching, and supporting our residents with their independent living programs. This includes daily life skills lessons such as how to fold clothes, set the table, and clean up. Thanks to Lenora, their routine has not been disrupted. They are safe at home!
LEAN ON ME
Joseph*, one of the teens in foster care in our Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program, had to be quarantined due to potential exposure to COVID-19. The teen had already been through so much trauma in his young life and this latest challenge was terrifying for him. Our residential counselors, Rodney and Jervaughn, immediately stepped up to make sure he didn’t feel alone. They cared for him, lifted his spirits with words of encouragement, and were there to celebrate with him when his quarantine period ended. Both Rodney and Jervaughn leaned into this enormous responsibility with ease and grace!
DID YOU KNOW? Wayfinder is an essential business that has remained open during the COVID-19 crisis. If you are able, please give a gift today to support the most vulnerable.
June 26, 2020