Keeping Our Homeless Brothers and Sisters Safe During Time of Crisis
As we all work to meet the unique challenges presented by the global, COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, Camillus House is working around the clock to ensure the safety, health, and wellbeing of our community’s homeless population, and in particular, the individuals and families under our care. As friends and supporters of our mission, we want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to mitigate the spread of this deadly virus and to keep our most vulnerable neighbors safe during this difficult time.
Camillus has significantly increased the intensity, frequency, and coverage of deep-cleaning and sanitizing efforts in our facilities. We have screened all emergency and transitional housing clients (and will continue to do so) to identify and reduce potential concerns that may require testing and/or isolation. Camillus has also placed hand washing stations and hand sanitizers throughout its congregate living areas and implemented strict social-distancing measures within the population we serve.
Our programs to help persons currently living on the street continues both in terms of outreach and services such as food and showers with distribution of bag lunches replacing sit down meals and restrictions on the number of people who can shower at any given time. Camillus has canceled community meetings and larger group volunteer initiatives; and limited volunteer opportunities to only essential activities.
As part of our emergency management plan, Camillus House is also working closely to coordinate our efforts with long-term operational partners, including the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, local homeless services providers and emergency management personnel. We are diligently coordinating with suppliers to ensure that critical goods and materials are available within our system of care, as we streamline our staffing to minimize risk and focus our efforts on essential services.
We continue to monitor, assess, and adapt our response to the challenges associated with this evolving crisis and quickly respond to new guidance and directives from local government authorities, the Florida Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As you can imagine, no one was anticipating what we are currently facing. However, we are confident that together we will get through this difficult time as we labor to ensure that everyone we serve is protected and safe.
On behalf of the Brothers of St. John of God and the entire Camillus House family, we thank you for helping us serve our community every day. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
May God bless you and your family.