Indwell responds to COVID-19

The pandemic has brought many changes to Indwell. Staff at each housing program have adapted countless procedures to ensure the health and safety of tenants. Our typically lively Resource Centre (main office) is empty as staff work from home. Events have been cancelled or gone virtual and most volunteer activities have been suspended.

Despite these changes, our entire team is working diligently to ensure that one thing does not change: the quality of support our tenants receive. At the outset of the pandemic, Indwell created a COVID-19 Communication Team to coordinate and streamline communication, and provide additional 24-7 support to staff. Regular staff e-mails share important information and stories of hope.

We’ve seen the incredible creativity and adaptability of our program teams. Some examples:

  • Staff now deliver meals to doors, split communal meals into shifts, and source and deliver food hampers to reduce the need for grocery shopping.
  • Staff continue to check in with tenants through physically distanced office hours, neighbourhood walks or by phone.
  • Intake meetings with potential new tenants have resumed, physically distanced–we are so thankful to be able to continue providing hope and homes to more people especially at a time like this.

We’ve seen tremendous kindness pour in from our community. Thank you for sending notes of encouragement to tenants, donating food and sewing PPE, giving to our COVID-19 Response Fund, and for your continued prayers. We’ve seen the resilience of tenants who, despite the challenges of COVID-19, care for their communities with selflessness, optimism and love.

We’ve seen over 24 administrative staff, managers and directors receive training to prepare to support program staff if needed (not yet needed, thankfully!). We’ve seen our Facilities team quickly procure PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and sanitizing supplies. We’ve been able to provide enough PPE to support our programs through a potential outbreak and even had extra to share with other organizations! We’ve seen, in new ways, the invaluable resource we have in our Nursing team who educate us on how to properly use PPE and safely conduct day-to-day work.

We are so thankful for the health of our Indwell community over these past months and for every staff member, supporter and tenant who has made that possible. While there is much uncertainty about the months ahead, we draw deep encouragement from what we’ve seen so far and hope you do, too.

What you can do right now

During this crisis, Indwell is providing additional supports for tenants. We need your gifts now—even more than before—as we navigate through these challenges, and as we continue to provide communities of hope.

Now, more than ever, it is important that our tenants feel connected with others, even if they cannot be physically connected. Mail a card or note of encouragement to be shared with our tenants who may be feeling isolated at this time.

Indwell has established a special fund to address food security and increase wellness programs for tenants. It is important that they maintain their physical and mental health during this unsettling time of social distancing and self-isolation.

Pray

Please pray for Indwell’s tenants, especially those who struggle with isolation and loneliness during this time. Please remember our staff who provide direct support to our tenants.

This article was originally featured in our 16249 Newsletter.
Read the latest newsletter here.

Send a note of encouragement

Now more than ever, it is important that our tenants feel connected with others, even if they cannot be physically connected. Send a note of encouragement to be shared with our tenants who are feeling isolated at this time.

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