Dear Bethesda Mission Donors,

Bethesda Mission is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by taking appropriate measures consistent with recommendations by the federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) and our state health officials. We seek to ensure that the resident guests at our Men’s and Women’s Shelter, and participants in our Community Center programs, along with all of our staff and volunteers, are safe and protected from this and other viruses.

Some thoughts and perspective for you, our donors:

• Our Men’s and Women’s Shelters are open 24/7, just as hospitals and facilities serving the elderly. Those who are at greatest risk to be affected by these viruses are the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Virtually all of Bethesda’s resident men and women guests fit this criteria, are at greatest risk, regardless of their age.
• The power of prayer we believe in wholeheartedly. Each Monday morning at our Administrative Office, we begin our week in prayer, including requests from our donors. As Bethesda Mission comes to mind, we sincerely appreciate your prayers, for our guests, staff and volunteers. Also, please be praying for our donors, upon which this ministry is sustained.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

• Whenever Bethesda Mission is able to join with other agencies to help those affected by this pandemic, we will do so. Efforts are ongoing for several faith-based ministries and agencies to collaborate to help those adults, families and children most vulnerable to be adversely affected.
• Financial needs – we are incurring costs to have an increased supply of the necessary products at all of our facilities  (cleaning solutions, disinfectants, sanitation, personal protective equipment). Those costs are estimated at the present time to be $5,000. Click here to make a donation to help cover these costs.

Should this virus escalate into an outbreak in our Men’s and/or Women’s Shelters, costs will increase for meal services, quarantining of guests, delivery of food and essential products, housing alternatives. These are our guests, and this is their home for the time they are with us. Pray this does not become a reality. We will keep our donors informed as the days and weeks progress—visit our website for updates.

Your faithful partnership with this House of Mercy called Bethesda is so appreciated. In these anxious days, may we together shine as a light of hope, care, faith, patience, and prudence, demonstrating for the world how our faith provides true assurance against worry and fear.

Protocols for guests, staff, and volunteers

The world health community continues to monitor closely the emergence of the “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19). At this time, no one knows how severe this outbreak will be. Given this uncertainty, and the fact that the seasonal influenza (flu) virus is also widespread, Bethesda Mission is taking proactive steps to address a number of concerns. First and foremost, we want to maintain a safe workplace and encourage and/or adopt practices protecting the health of employees, guests, visitors, or others. We also want to ensure the continuity of mission operations going forward.

We ask all employees, volunteers, and visitors to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases in the Mission. Employees, volunteers, and visitors are reminded of the following:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your mouth with tissues or into your sleeve whenever you cough or sneeze, and discard used tissues in the trash.
• Avoid people who are sick with respiratory symptoms.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.

Bethesda Mission will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers throughout the workplace and in common areas. Cleaning sprays and wipes will also be provided to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as telephones and keyboards.

It is critical that employees, volunteers, and visitors do not report to the Mission while they are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that those experiencing symptoms remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100.5 degrees F) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Employees and volunteers who report to work or serve ill will be sent home in accordance with these health guidelines.

Trusting Him,

Scott Dunwoody
Executive Director