HK on the Ground – Update April 22

HumanKind on the Ground – Checking in on our Community

Date: April 22, 2020

I am so grateful for the outpouring of support we are seeing from our community. You are all part of the HumanKind team providing essential services to vulnerable families. And I want to share a bit of good news about all the amazing work happening right now.

HumanKind is still working on the frontlines to help people in our community each and every day with respect to distance guidelines.

Many of our services have quickly transitioned to virtual visits, increased phone calls, virtual support groups, online offerings for information, and even some creative outdoor visits. Telehealth access is now offered for all of our mental health services programs and for Blackwater Counseling at HumanKind that is daily accepting new patients! (Learn more if you need some additional support in this time of social distancing and quarantine)

However, much of the work remains the same and is around the clock – stabilizing families through crisis, supporting children in foster care and foster families, caring for adults with developmental disabilities in our residential homes.

But overall, what I have found is that it does not matter where our team is physically—they still care deeply about the people we serve and are bringing their talents and skills to solve problems creatively, making the most out of difficult circumstances. It is inspiring.

Just today, I heard a story from one of our front line staff that I need to share with you.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, my client Tim was laid off from his full-time job at an optometrist’s office. He still has a part-time job which has supplemented his income in the past to support his family, but now it’s his only income source. Losing his primary job left him unable to fully afford food, rent, and pay his regular bills. He knows this situation could be a setback to reaching his goals; building better credit and achieving financial stability. He reached out to me sharing that he needed help. I was immediately able to provide a gas card, a grocery gift card, and a toiletry care package. Then I helped him apply for both SNAP benefits and unemployment. With these temporary stabilizations in place, I asked our employment coach to provide him with several job leads. I am so amazed to see our community working together to help people like Tim – and I’m grateful to see it with my own eyes.

Bob Dendy
President & CEO
HumanKind

You can make a difference for more families like Tim’s – give online today at https://support.humankind.org/coronavirus.