To our supporters, volunteers and friends who have invested in the lives of the women and children at The Lovelady Center, we want to update you on our response to COVID-19:
At present, we are doing everything we can in relation to keeping the women and children safe during this difficult time. We are, to the extent possible, practicing social distancing within the Center and following all the CDC and Health Department recommendations for prevention of the spread of the virus. Class sizes have been reduced to no more than ten in a class, and we are observing all meal times in shifts, as well as ceasing all large gatherings.
We have suspended all classes taught by volunteers from the outside and suspended all volunteer projects. Additional classes will be taught during this time by existing staff members. All visitors and all non-essential staff have been asked to please stay home.
Any client who has been identified as high-risk by the CDC guidelines including, but not limited to, age and/or a compromised immune system have been quarantined to the fourth floor of the building with restricted interaction from all other clients in the building.
At this time, we have had no one test positive for COVID-19, nor do we have anyone evidencing symptoms indicating a possible infection. However, should anyone begin to evidence the symptoms, we have prepared a portion of our building for isolation until such time as we can determine whether or not a client is indeed infected.
From a spiritual perspective, which for us is the most important, we are in constant prayer that God will provide supernatural protection for not only our women and children but for our nation as a whole. All the women are participating in small group prayer sessions throughout the day, bringing God’s peace in this uncertain time. Psalms 91 has become our focal point, we are studying it, memorizing it, and walking it out. In the playing of worship music throughout the building, we are constantly reminded that God is constantly with us, no matter the circumstances.
As for the Lovelady Thrift Stores, we are operating with a skeleton crew and asking most of our employees to self-quarantine during this time. For those staff who are coming to the stores, the managers are checking each morning before opening to make sure they do not have a fever or evidencing any other symptoms of the virus. If so, they will be sent immediately home.
As you may have noticed, we changed both Lovelady Thrift Store operating hours. We are closing early (5pm) in order to allow our staff to disinfect the stores on a daily basis. Our stores, as you know, are one of the principle funders of our ministry. So to the degree that you are comfortable with coming to shop or bringing donations, we will operate in a manner that should keep you safe from any potential infection. Our thrift store trucks are still available for pick-ups, should any of you at this time of self-quarantine decide to do spring cleaning! Leave whatever you have outside on your drive or curbside and we will be happy to pick it up. Call this number to schedule a pick-up Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
In Judges 7, Gideon defeated the vast army of the Midianites with only 300 men. Humanly speaking, no one saw a way out of that situation. Many times, we do not see ways out of our current situations, but with God, all things are possible to those who believe. We ask that you join us in continuing to pray for God’s provisions and protections at the Center, and we will commit to praying for you and your family as well.
In His Service,
Brenda Lovelady Spahn |
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