The coronavirus pandemic is having a disproportionate economic and health impact on low-income families, individuals, and seniors. They are facing growing financial hardship, increased food insecurity, increased social isolation, and an acute need for mental health services.

At Bethany Hill Place, we are taking the following steps to not only ensure the health of our residents as the coronavirus remains a threat but also support our families as we move from emergency response to recovery, resilience, and rebuilding.

• At all times we are following protocols for social distancing and have posted information for residents on how to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and who to contact if they are symptomatic or been exposed to it.
• Building strong, positive relationships is at the heart of our work. In the spring our staff focused on resident wellness checks, food insecurity, and connecting kids and parents to schools, computers, and internet access. We continue to check on the health and well-being of our families and support them in accessing the resources they need.
• Staff conducts regular goal meetings with residents by phone or virtually, helping them stay on track despite increased obstacles brought on by the economic impact of the pandemic. As needed, we’re helping residents apply for unemployment benefits, conduct a job search, and resolve financial issues.
• We were providing virtual self-care opportunities, group counseling, and mental health referrals to fight isolation, anxiety, depression, and other issues exacerbated by the pandemic.
• Youth, wellness, and educational programming has pivoted from in-person activities and workshops to virtual opportunities in order to provide structure, engagement, and help so residents can stay on track with their goals and feel a part of the community.
• As food insecurity increased, we leveraged community partnerships to ensure residents had consistent access to food during the most challenging days of quarantine. Our food access programming continues to ensure no resident goes hungry.

As this unprecedented public health crisis and accompanying economic downturn continues to challenge everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us, Bethany Hill Place remains focused on supporting our residents in any way possible. As the landscape continues to unfold and the future remains uncertain, we are grateful to our donors and community partners for ensuring our families have the support they need as they work towards long-term sustainability and resiliency.

Filed Under: News