COVID-19 Homeless Relief Efforts

People experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to viruses…

Those without homes need help now more than ever. Therefore, all Joppa 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.

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 our clients, volunteers, and staff stay safe by:

• Continuing all services for people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic

• Following all CDC and State Guidelines, and updating daily as needed

• Providing specific volunteer COVID safety training, protocols and other instructions

• Educating homeless clients—how to stay safe, get tested and where to go if positive

• Delivering soap, gallons of water, hand sanitizer, TP, food and other basic necessities

• Referring individuals for testing and medical help upon symptoms

• Surveying unsheltered individuals for Polk County to assess vulnerability and permanent or temporary housing options

• Helping 19 individuals, so far this month, find and move into permanent housing asap

• Working to provide 40+ additional people a safe place to isolate during COVID, while searching for permanent housing options for each person.

June 2020 Update:

The COVID-19 Unsheltered Housing Assistance Survey, which Joppa created for Polk County, has identified more than 60 individuals that are qualified for immediate permanent or temporary housing.

Joppa is collaborating with Central Iowa Shelter & Services and Primary Health Care to access government COVID relief funds while raising the additional private funding necessary to immediately move homeless individuals directly into permanent housing, or into hotel rooms for safe isolation while continuing to pursue permanent housing options.

How Can You Help?

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 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

We will meet you outside…at a distance!

You can also help by volunteering. We have volunteer opportunities within the Joppa Center, on Outreach and Aftercare Routes, as well as remote opportunities serving online or at your home. Click here for more information on volunteering

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 serve inside the Joppa Center
• All volunteers are required to wear masks when interacting with clients and when volunteering within 6 feet of other workers
• Please model social distancing when interacting with clients
• Please build relationships with lively discussions, looking clients in the eye, and providing what they need with “smiling eyes”
• Please review the latest virus safety information with clients.
• Please wash your hands after touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• 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 or assist them in registering with testiowa.com
• Please report concerns to Joppa

Thank you for serving!

The Joppa Staff