As countless workers across the world are being told to stay home, Horizons for Youth’s frontline staff members do not have this option. If they did not go to work, our shelter would shut down – leaving 45 at-risk youth without a place to live.
Even during typical weeks, our frontline workers have emotionally difficult positions. They become connected to each resident and share in their joy and dreams, but also in their sadness, anger and frustration. However, the past few weeks have been more challenging than they could have imagined. Generally, many residents are out of the building during the day because they are in school, at work, at the library or attending appointments. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, our home is full during the day. Therefore, there are more youth asking for our workers’ time, attention and guidance each day. There are also more youth in our daily programs. We usually have 8-12 youth attend each Day Program workshop. Now, each class has 25 youth wanting to participate.
Our staff team is also risking their health and the health of their families or roommates to be at the agency every day. Although no residents or staff members have been diagnosed with COVID-19, it is impossible to practice social distancing at Horizons for Youth. There are 45 youth in our home and they all share rooms, a common area and a program space. Our agency has instituted many safety measures to protect the health of our residents and staff, but they are still more at-risk than individuals able to practice social distancing.
In addition to putting themselves at risk, our staff members are frustrated by the current situation, like many of us. Weddings have been put on hold. Vacations have been cancelled. Gatherings with friends and loved ones have been indefinitely postponed. Our Housing Worker Heather explains, “Even though so many things in my life have been put on hold, I can’t just throw my hands up and come into work showing my frustration every day. 45 kids depend on me to be resilient and to show them how to find love and hope through the darkness.” Our entire team has come together to support one another and motivate each other to give 110% every day, despite the unsettling and unprecedented crisis.
The compassion and dedication from our staff team has created a calm, healthy and fun environment. Our team recognizes that the energy they bring to our shelter each day is reflected by the youth. No matter how exhausted, scared or frustrated they are, our team knows that they need to be positive for the residents.
We are amazed by our team’s energy and resilience. When asked what keeps her motivated every day, our Case Manager Sara replied, “The youth. I love them. I love being there for them. I’m running on so little sleep, but I always find energy for the youth”. Abdul, our Day Program Coordinator, echoed this statement and said, “We don’t do this job for the money; we do it for the kids. Us being here is helping them, which feels good.”
We applaud and thank all of our frontline workers who are unselfishly focused on supporting our residents during this challenging period and who are putting their personal and family imperatives aside for the benefit of the our clients.
We wouldn’t be able to get through this crisis without you.
PS: Want to support our heroic staff members? Consider making a donation to Horizons for Youth. Your support will help us weather this crisis.
Written by Stacey Murie