Report on Mission Activities During COVID-19

REPORT ON MISSION ACTIVITIES DURING COVID-19
By Tim Adam, MCRM COO

COVID-19 has affected the Mission in numerous ways. We had to stop bringing in new participants to many of our programs and stopped allowing them to go out on pass (a few hours to visit family). This was difficult for some individuals, not being able to see their families, and it was sad to see some decide to leave our program. However, we are very blessed for all the support we have had, and for the opportunities, we have had to help other programs in Merced.

The Mission has always been happy to collaborate with different agencies to help with the homeless population in any way we can. One of those has been through Project Roomkey. Once the Governor announced Project Roomkey, the County reached out to the Mission to see if we were able to provide on-site management of the hotels in Merced and Los Banos. This project was a big undertaking, but we knew the importance of getting the most vulnerable homeless off the streets during this pandemic.

The Mission has been able to provide temporary employment for many of our graduates and resident assistants. We are working in three, eight-hour shifts at the hotels and helping with intakes and wellness checks.

The hope is that while the individuals are sheltering in place at the hotels, all the different homeless service providers along with the City and County can work together trying to find permanent supportive housing for many of these individuals.

We feel truly blessed to be an agency that others can look to for help when needed. The Mission truly has a heart for the homeless and needy, and we are always looking for ways to help this community.