Sussex County Habitat for Humanity's COVID-19 Update
Dear Habitat volunteers, partner families, friends and supporters,
I can’t believe eight weeks have passed since our last build day, ReStore shopping trip, or day with everyone in the office. While we are ready to get back to some sense of normalcy, the situation in Sussex County makes it hard for us to open operations right away. As you know, Sussex County has been identified as a hot-spot for COVID-19 cases, and new cases continue to increase. We have been following the local, state, federal and Habitat International's recommendations closely to make informed decisions about how we can do our part to slow the spread of the Coronavirus and keep our volunteers, staff, and partner families safe.
At this time SCHFH is aligning with the Governor's new timeline and targeting June 1 for Phase 1 of our reopening.
What does this mean?
Office
The office will remain closed to volunteers and the public until June 1. Office staff will continue to work remotely, and on June 1 begin to come back to the office with new cleaning protocols while promoting social distancing. If this date changes, we will let you know.
ReStore
ReStore has gone virtual! ReStore is now doing online sales and no-contact scheduled pick-ups of purchases. Check out the new online ReStore at https://lewesrestore.square.site/. ReStore is developing their phased reopening plan now, but does not expect to have volunteers in the store before June 1.
Construction Sites
All construction sites continue to be closed to volunteers and partner families until June 1. If anything changes, we will let you know.
Our construction staff, classified as essential workers, continues to build while keeping a safe physical distance. Additionally, we secured emergency grant funding to contract out necessary work to keep our projects moving forward, this includes getting two homes in Milton under roof. But rest assured that there will be plenty of volunteer work when we can safely return. We have 12 partner families to build homes with over the next 12 months.
Our construction volunteer program will start phasing in operations on June 1. There will be limited volunteers on site, more volunteer days on the schedule, required signup, daily waivers, and new safety and COVID-19 prevention practices on site. These are small changes that will have a big impact on keeping everyone safe. In the beginning, slots will only open internally to regular volunteers, Women Build volunteers and Partner Families.
Partner Families and Homeowners
Most of our partner families and homeowners are doing well. However, others have been laid off, lost hours at work, or tested positive for COVID-19. We are helping connect them with resources in the community to get assistance. Please keep them in your prayers.
Thank you for your patience during this hard time. Remember, this too shall pass. But until then, we want to make sure that Habitat is a safe place for everyone involved.
In faith and service,
Kevin J. Gilmore
Executive Director
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity
Sussex County Habitat For Humanity Is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization. We are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Our ministry was founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety. Building hope in our community begins with you - by picking up a hammer or giving in other ways. As we grow to serve 41 new home and repair projects this year, we invite you to GET INVOLVED!
Join our team of Habitat for Humanity International AmeriCorps members! Based in Sussex County, Delaware, you could be the next to help make our people safer, stronger and healthier; to strengthen our communities; and to Get Things Done for America. Click on the link below to view AmeriCorps position descriptions, benefits of National Service, and how to apply.
https://www.sussexcountyhabitat.org/national-service
