Effective Monday March 23, 2020, these are the policies Opportunity House will enforce during the COVID-19 Outbreak. Please recognize that the situation is fluid and these policies may be modified as needed. Thank you for your thoughts and support as together we navigate through these challenging times.
THE SHELTER
The shelter will be closed from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm daily so we can disinfect and deep clean all community areas.
There will be no new admissions until further notice.
All clients need to enter from the rear of the building via the shelter entrance. There aren’t to be any clients entering at the main entrance until further notice.
We are asking our volunteer cooking groups to continue to prepare their meals as scheduled. If this is possible, we are then asking that you deliver the meal to the shelter and leave it to our staff and clients to prepare and serve.
All clients and employees will have their temperature taken upon entering the building.
Clients will need to contact their case managers via phone. Should a client need to see their case manager, they will meet in the dayroom or the
women’s dormitory.
The community service afternoon program will be discontinued until further notice.
We are asking any agency representatives that have clients residing here would refrain from coming into the building to meet with your client. Please meet in an outside venue.
Our community garden will be closed.
If you have any questions or require additional clarification, please contact Delia McLendon, Shelter and Housing Director at dmclendon@opphouse.org
SECOND STREET LEARNING CENTER
In conjunction with Governor Tom Wolf’s directive of March 16, 2020, The Second Street Learning Center will be closed from March 17, 2020 until April 1, 2020. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Remy, Director at nremy@opphouse.org.
CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE CENTER
Effective March 23, 2020, the Children’s Alliance will be open only in case of emergency. If an emergency forensic interview needs to be scheduled, please contact Melissa Haydt, Director at
484-269-6566.
When a forensic interview is scheduled, we are asking that only one adult bring in only the child scheduled to be interviewed. We do not want any unnecessary people in the center.
We are also screening people for illness. Everyone entering the center will have their temperature taken. If anyone has any slight inkling of an illness the forensic interview will be rescheduled.
We have also temporarily suspended the use of therapy dogs during this time.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES
Community outreach throughout Berks, Schuylkill, and Lancaster counties will temporarily be suspended.
Case Managers will continue to provide services via email and telephone call. Temporary Financial Assistance will continue to be provided.
Veterans scheduled for medical/dental/psychological appointments at the Lebanon VA Hospital will continue to be transported as needed.
Any additional questions regarding SSVF should be made to Rhonda Bates, Director, at rbates@opphouse.org.
REUSE/RECYCLE PROGRAM
In conjunction with Governor Tom Wolf’s directive of March 16, 2020,
OppShop will be closed from March 17, 2020 until April 1, 2020.
Picking up donations at homes and businesses will be suspended until April 1, 2020. Donations can still be made at one of our donation bins located throughout Berks County.
Anyone requesting additional information or clarification should contact Modesto Fiume, President at mfiume@opphouse.org.
All media requests should be forwarded to Kate Alley, Chief Development Officer at kalley@opphouse.org.