No mask. No gloves. No home.

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The unsheltered are very vulnerable to viruses…

Those without homes need help now more than ever. Therefore, all our Homeless Services continue without interruption, including weekly Outreach and Aftercare.

Trained Joppa volunteers and staff have been visiting people living under bridges, in tents, and in vehicles weekly for 600+ consecutive weeks.

People experiencing homelessness know they can count on Joppa and we don’t plan to let them down. In fact, we’re doing even more from our new location at 2326 Euclid Avenue in Des Moines.

This weekly outreach builds relationships that have resulted in more than 400 families and individuals being helped off the streets in Polk County. And, over 80% of these men, women, and children remaining in housing today.

What Joppa is doing to help fight the spread of COVID-19:

We’re making every effort to help those we serve and our volunteers stay safe by informing and preparing through:

• Continuing all services for those in need
• Following all CDC and State Guidelines
• Providing specific volunteer COVID Safety Training and instructions
• Providing information and COVID Safety Handouts to homeless clients
• Delivering soap, gallons of water, hand sanitizer, TP and food, etc.
• Referrals for testing and seeking medical help upon symptoms

You can help by giving at the ‘Donate’ tab above as well as by dropping off critical supplies, such as soap, water, hand sanitizer, TP and tissues to the new Joppa Center at 2326 Euclid Avenue, Monday–Friday, between 9 AM and 4 PM. We will meet you outside…at a distance!

COVID-19 Safety Instructions for Outreach, Aftercare, and Circle-of-Friends Volunteers

In order to maintain the health and safety of our clients and volunteers, it is imperative that we adhere to these precautions as we continue to serve those in need:

If you have a cold, runny nose, sore throat or fever, please tell us ASAP and stay home!  Yes, we love having you serve with Joppa and we will miss you. Take care of yourself and get better so you can join us in the future.

Although we’re all about relationships, we must be all about safety too:

• All Outreach and Aftercare Teams will drive-up to designated spots outside the Joppa Center to load and unload, thereby maintaining safe social distancing
• Only a few designated volunteers will be allowed inside the Joppa Center
• All volunteers are required to wear gloves, masks, and safety glasses
• Model social distancing: Do not shake hands, hug or make direct physical contact with other volunteers or clients
• Continue to build relationships with lively discussions, looking clients in the eye, and providing what they need with a smile
• Review the latest Virus Safety handouts and go over them with clients.
• Keep your hands away from your face
• If you encounter someone who is coughing or appears sick, remember to keep your distance, ask about their symptoms and if they need medical help
• Inform people to call 211 if feverish, cough or shortness of breath
• Please report concerns to Joppa

Distributing Hand Sanitizer:

• Each volunteer team should take one larger bottle to use frequently
• Please bring this bottle back to Joppa as our supply is limited
• Ask each client: “Do you have enough hand sanitizer for the coming week?”
• Give one hand sanitizer and Virus Safety Package to each client that needs it

Food Preparation:

Joppa has temporarily suspended all meal preparation activities performed by volunteers, though we continue to deliver more than 100 warm meals each week to people living under bridges, in tents and vehicles.

How are we doing this? By partnering with long-time Joppa partner, Gusto Pizza Co., who is preparing delicious meals at their restaurant. This is to provide an extra measure of safety because commercial kitchens are required to follow FDA and USDA food safety rules, even though there is no evidence viruses can spread through food.

Thank you for serving!

The Joppa Staff