FAMILY CARE CENTER: To try and do what we can to limit the impact of this virus, Family Care Center will close our doors to the public at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 19 until further notice. Applicants to our program may access the application outside our front door but there will be no client interaction or face to face meetings. We will be in touch with our current guests via phone and email. For information visit: familycare-center.org.
ADULT LIFE PROGRAMS: After careful (and sometimes agonizing) consideration, consultation with NC Department of Health and Human Services, Catawba County Health Department and other officials I have made the decision to close Adult Life Programs from March 19-30, 2020 due to the COVID 19 outbreak. We plan to open March 30 conditions permitting. For information visit: https://www.adultlifeprograms.com/central-office
LIFE HOUSE: The Life House has amended hours 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday - Friday. No more than 10 people (elderly and disabled) allowed inside with very limited seating. Outside property and seating is available and all services and request are being delivered through walk up window. The agency has a mobile van unit prepared that will be available and is stocked with needs for the community.
SAFE HARBOR: The agency has suspended all classes, support groups and events through the end of March, then we will reassess the situation. We have also asked all volunteers to stay home. Right now, the Day Center remains open, but we are taking it day by day. Things are subject to change. For information visit: safeharbornc.org.
AMERICAN RED CROSS: At this moment the agency’s most pressing concern is the blood supply. The Red Cross accounts for 40 percent of the nation's blood supply and we collect more than 80 percent of that blood is collected at offsite drives including at schools, churches and businesses.
Over the last few days, the Red Cross has seen blood drive cancellations grow at an alarming rate. Through March 13, about 1,500 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in some 46,000 fewer blood donations. We expect that number to rise. In our region alone, we have lost over 60 drives which equals approximately 1,800 units.
Donating blood is safe. Receiving blood is safe. If this trend continues, we may experience another national health emergency on top of the virus. For more information visit: cdc.gov/covid19.
EXODUS HOMES: The is operating as usual but may suspend new admissions in the days to come. Residents have been advised to keep six feet of space between them whenever possible. Exodus Church held services last week, but they are not sure about this Sunday. For information visit: http://www.exodushomes.com/
PARTNERS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MANGAMENT: Partners only has pertinent staff at its offices. The agency is continuing to work but through remote locations. All functions of Partners are still operational. The ACCESS to care number for individuals to access services and crisis services is still available 24/7. You can reach any Partners staff through phone and/or email. The agency has looking for cleaning supplies for clients. If anyone has any ideas to help, contact Teena Willis at Partners. For information visit: https://www.partnersbhm.org/
FAMILY GUIDANCE CENTER: The agency is rescheduling its clients until April 1st. The staff is currently at the office (for now) available for crisis clients via phone conference or tele-conference. For information visit: https://www.fgcservices.com/
COUNCIL ON AGING: The Catawba County Council on Aging/West Hickory Senior is closed effective March 17 until further notice. For information visit: https://www.catawbacoa.org/
WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER:
-We have paused our front desk Resource & Referral Volunteer program, in order to protect our elderly and immune compromised volunteers and reduce the number of persons in the building at any time. Staff will still be available to help with any questions, concerns or needs.
- If you are in need of Resources please call us prior to coming in. If you are in a high-risk category for COVID-19, we will work with you over the phone and offer curbside pick-up printed information and Pantry with a Purpose products.
- We ask that non-essential groups consider pausing their meetings or utilize virtual meeting tools such as Skype, Google Hangout, or Join.me or in order to maintain social distancing. Currently, this does NOT include groups vital to the mental or emotional well-being of our community, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or All Recovery.
- We will be cleaning our meeting room after each meeting during the week. We ask that any groups that meet in the evenings or weekends take advantage of the cleaning products provided to wipe down ‘high-touch’ areas, such as plastic chairs and door handles. We will not be providing self-serve snacks during this time. Additionally, we have reduced seating in our meeting room to provide more personal space between guests. For information visit: https://www.wrchickory.org/
ALFA (Aids Leadership Foothills Area Alliance): As part of ALFA's efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID 19 virus to staff and clients, the agency is limiting services from March 17 - March 29.
Staff will still be available via phone or email, but offices will be closed to foot traffic.
Client Services:
- Services will be provided via phone or mail delivery whenever possible.
- In office services will be by appointment only.
- Deliveries of pantry products or medication may be possible depending on resources.
PrEP/HepC Services:
- Services will be provided via phone or mail delivery whenever possible.
- In office services will be by appointment only.
PEP: Call Jess at 828-322-1447 x 226
Harm Reduction:
- Supplies will be available at Steve's Place on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Big Red van will be at Wilkes location for supply distribution Tuesday, March 17 from
8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Two months supplies will continue to be distributed.
- Distribution will be canceled beginning Wednesday, March 18.
- Call or text 828-999-0055
Testing/Outreach: services will be suspended for 2 weeks.
For information visit: http://www.alfainfo.org/
OLIVE BRANCH MINISTRY is prepared to continue its harm reduction services to those in need under our normal operating guidelines, maintaining regular office hours in each of its locations. The agency will continue to provide mobile exchange as requested to clients who have transportation barriers. For HepC rapid and confirmation testing and treatment, the agency will continue to provide these services by appointment at the Hickory location or in individual homes, if needed. If anyone is in need of syringe access, Naloxone or HepC testing, please let them know. For information visit: www.olivebranchministry.org
NORTH CAROLINA BAPTIST AGING MINISTRY (NCBAM) is available for those who may need someone to talk to during this period of isolation. The phone number is 866-758-4673. Please share as appropriate.