Community Corner

Daytime Homeless Shelter Adjusts During Coronavirus Outbreak

Homeless visitors have shown patience as Fairfax-based Lamb Center continues to provide emergency services with changes.

The Lamb Center is offering critical services to the homeless during the coronavirus outbreak by only allowing five guests at a time.
The Lamb Center is offering critical services to the homeless during the coronavirus outbreak by only allowing five guests at a time. (Google Maps screenshot)

FAIRFAX, VA — The Lamb Center is no longer a place where you'll see the homeless sit down for a meal or hang around to use the center's various services. The new coronavirus outbreak has prompted changes at the Lamb Center, but its guests, volunteers and partnering churches have stepped up to adjust so the homeless can continue receiving services they rely on.

The center, which offers daytime services to the homeless and formerly homeless, is now only allowing five guests at a time for 30 minutes to receive the most critical services: grab-and-go meals, showers and laundry services. Tara Ruszkowski, board chair of the Lamb Center, told Patch the changes allow for social distancing and make it more manageable to provide critical services. The center has also changed hours from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. to 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Formerly homeless guests who normally use the center were asked to step back so the Lamb Center can serve solely in an emergency capacity for homeless guests. Those that do visit have adapted to the five-person-at-a-time rule.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I am just so heartened by our guests and the patience and understanding they have," said Ruszkowski. "They have recognized we're in this together."

Nevertheless, the homeless are scared in light of the new coronavirus outbreak, according to Ruszkowski. "We need to take care of these folks because these people experience homelessness and are much more vulnerable to the COVID crisis," she said.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Fairfax County as they happen. Sign up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

The Lamb Center has a contingency plan should a homeless guest experience coronavirus symptoms. Ruszkowski said a nurse practitioner can see a guest who appears to be symptomatic. If a need for testing is determined, the guest may visit HealthWorks in Herndon.

If a guest should test presumptive positive for the new coronavirus, the Lamb Center could plan to put the individual in a motel. That would allow the Lamb Center to continue running its critical services for guests without the person visiting the center. However, the Lamb Center's plan is dependent on further guidance from Fairfax County.

Volunteer availability has drastically declined because of situations like illness in households, leading other volunteers to step up. In addition, partnering churches have adjusted to the Lamb Center's operating changes, particularly with the breakfast and lunch meals they provide. Churches switched from providing hot meals to grab-and-go meals that feature items like protein sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, snacks, and drinks. The Lamb Center tries to send guests with extra supplies before the end of their 30-minute visits.

The Lamb Center is continuing its City Jobs program with the Fairfax City parks and recreation department as well as the County Jobs program with the Fairfax County stormwater planning division. The transitional jobs program provide around 20 homeless or formerly homeless individuals with paid work. The county program largely involves removing litter and invasive plants around streams, while the city program involves various tasks to maintain public spaces.

The Lamb Center is asking for community support during the coronavirus situation through prayers and donations. Needed items include bottled water, juice boxes, cleaning wipes, bleach, gift cards to Sam's Club and Costco, snack foods for lunches, cereal (the guests largely enjoy Raisin Bran) and 55-gallon garbage bags. Financial donations are also accepted to help cover the cost of the center's changes. Donate online or by mail to The Lamb Center, PO Box 1385, Fairfax, VA 22038-1385.

"If we were not here, it would be much harder for our guests," said Ruszkowski. "We are home for some of our guests. We are going to continue to serve [them] as long as possible."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here