A Challenging Year, But We Persevered
“God is with us, it will be accomplished…God will help us, the work is His.”
-St. Jeanne Jugan
Although absolutely necessary in keeping Residents protected from COVID-19, the cost of personal protective equipment, (PPE) was not an expense that, like so many organizations, the Jeanne Jugan Residence fully planned to absorb this past year. The coronavirus pandemic upended all of our worlds -seemingly overnight.
It wasn’t that long ago that our halls, gift shop, arts and crafts room, and dining room were bustling with Residents, volunteers, and visitors. The dining room that was filled with Residents and their family members pre-COVID enjoying conversations and meals, is now the designated room for socially-distanced visits. Two long tables separate our Residents the required six-feet apart from their loved ones. But only for the time being.
We have been diligent in keeping our Residents protected from COVID-19 with daily staff health checks, on-site COVID testing, and now COVID-19 vaccinations for Residents and staff.
Through it all, we’ve managed to keep our Resident’s spirits up. Sisters and staff learned to use Zoom to keep loved ones connected to our seniors through video conferencing. Phone calls, signs, and waves from outside the windows became the norm.
Our activities staff arranged even more games, movies, and trivia contests for our homebound Residents that took their minds off, even temporarily, all that was happening outside the residence walls. Staff members went the extra mile by covering shifts and filling in wherever there was a need.
Sisters continued to care for our seniors ’round the clock and comforted Residents, especially the few suffering from dementia who could not fully grasp the lockdown.
We have seen the support from all of you through grants, in-kind donations, and financial donations and we know we continue to be blessed. Without our faith and the support from all of you, we could not have carried on as well as we did.
Make this Valentine’s Day extra special for our Residents. Donate $14 on the Sunday, February 14 or anytime throughout the month of February. CLICK HERE to donate online or print and send the card below.
Your donation will help us with the cost of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our staff as we continue to protect our Residents from COVID-19.
Our Residents love to receive mail! Click below to send some love. Email the card to bxdevelopment@littlesistersofthepoor.org or mail it to 2999 Schurz Avenue Bronx, New York 10465
