Community Corner

Homeless Maintain Dignity With Work During Coronavirus Crisis

The Lamb Center accounted for social distancing to let the homeless continue earning critical money from the City of Fairfax.

FAIRFAX, VA — Residents experiencing homelessness know they're especially vulnerable during the new coronavirus outbreak. In the Fairfax area, a daytime drop-in shelter and partnering City of Fairfax are offering helping hands to support their basic needs and let them earn money. The Lamb Center's City Jobs program with the City of Fairfax is continuing to provide work while accounting for social distancing.

"It provides stability and dignity in a time of uncertainty," said Tara Ruszkowski, board chair of the Lamb Center, about the continuation of the program. "They talk about how grateful they are to have this opportunity during a difficult time. $40 a day means a lot to someone experiencing homelessness."

City Jobs workers continue to maintain public spaces with some changes. Instead of the usual crew of 10 workers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the team is split up into groups of five working either Mondays and Wednesdays or on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Shifts are four hours, providing $10 per hour. Workers are now walking to locations when possible or riding in smaller numbers in the Lamb Center's van.

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On the continuation of City Jobs program, Fairfax City's parks and recreation director Cathy Salgado, "The City Jobs program has adapted during the Covid crisis and is working in small teams to tackle special needs that have surfaced in our parks and open spaces where the city needs additional help. We are grateful that they continue to work with us." The city has closed playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts and other features, but parks remain open to the public.

The City of Fairfax has assisted the homeless population in other ways, according to Ruszkowski. Its public restrooms in Stafford Park have reopened between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for homeless residents. In exchange, the Lamb Center's City Jobs workers is cleaning and maintaining the restrooms at no cost to the city.

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"The fact that the city reopened the restrooms shows great empathy, and we're extremely grateful," Ruszkowski told Patch. "That partnership with Fairfax City has been transformative for our guests."

In addition, Fairfax City Councilmember Sang Yi provided the Lamb Center with a small amount of N95 masks. Ruszkowski recognized that N95 and surgical masks should be prioritized for healthcare workers, so all staff and guests are using cloth masks. The N95 masks are being kept in case a guest should show symptoms of COVID-19 illness. Should a person need to be tested, he or she can be referred to HealthWorks in Herndon.

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The Lamb Center's other transitional jobs program, Operation Stream Shield with Fairfax County, is suspended. Ruszkowski says the Lamb Center is using this time to refine the program and work on a new contract for the next fiscal year starting on July 1. She said "there's great support" from the county on resuming the program later.

While the $40 daily pay from the City Jobs program is important to the homeless individuals, the Lamb Center continues critical services so guests can spend money on other needs. The center previously announced that it is only letting in five guests at a time for 30 minutes for grab-and-go meals, showers and laundry services. Drop-in hours are reduced to 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

SEE ALSO: Daytime Homeless Shelter Adjusts During Coronavirus Outbreak

Ruszkowski anticipates numerous Lamb Center guests at higher risk for COVID-19 will be helped by $2.5 million in emergency funding for the homeless announced by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam last week. The Lamb Center has 25 regular guests who are 65 or older and 125 with some form of disability, which could include a chronic health condition, severe mental illness, physical disability, substance abuse disorder or a combination of these.

The Lamb Center is awaiting details on how the funding will be allocated to localities. According to the governor's news release, the emergency support will provide temporary housing for about 1,500 residents who are currently homeless or rely on shelters that require them to leave every day. The funding covers individuals in shelters where it's not possible to self-quarantine.

The public can help the Lamb Center with financial donations and supplies as it provides services during the coronavirus outbreak. Needed supplies include cloth or disposable masks, disposable gloves, bleach, disinfecting wipes and paper towels. Donate online or by mail to The Lamb Center, PO Box 1385, Fairfax, VA 22038-1385.


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