Volume 33 | August 5th, 2020 |
|
|
|
SPECIAL REPORT:
Coronavirus Impact
at the Campus
August 5, 2020
|
|
Reflections from Amy Schwabenlender, Executive Director |
|
Monthly reflections from the front lines serving people experiencing homelessness, during a global pandemic, Phoenix summer, and the loss of a champion:
- COVID struck down one of the most humble, generous, caring people I will ever know. There is so much that I could say about Mike McQuaid… many of us admired, respected, appreciated and loved him. We will continue to do the work of ending homelessness and honor his legacy until everyone has a home.
- For those who think the number of people who will get sick and die from COVID-19 is negligible or insignificant, statistics don't mean much when it happens to someone you love. None of us gets to pick who COVID will affect. None of us are on the selection committee. None of us are the judge or jury. There is no vaccine, no prevention, no clear way to avoid contracting this virus. If you could do something simple to save the life of someone important to you, would you do it? If yes, then work under the assumption that you CAN save a life and wear a face covering, wash your hands, follow physical distancing guidelines.
- From sadness comes love and compassion. On the second year anniversary in my first role as Executive Director, it is the first time I am in the position of communicating with all of the supportive people who are reaching out because a founder/champion/Board member passed way. THANK YOU ALL! Your notes, phone calls, and text messages all mean a great deal to me. I am hearing many stories of how people came to know Mike; what a great connector he was!
- Grief is as much of a roller coaster as COVID. We each deal with grief differently, on different timelines, and react in a variety of ways. I am fluctuating from denial to anger to bargaining and back to anger, and back to denial, and back to anger. My thoughts frequently go to Mike’s lovely wife Molly, their children and grandchildren, their extended family.
-
Excessive heat warnings and air quality alerts in the Valley of the Sun for days.... and we cannot shelter everyone. These are unhealthy conditions for anyone who is without a home. Jewish News of Greater Phoenix published an Op Ed by me on this issue.
- Heat, COVID, being unhoused are silent killers. "Homelessness" is a public health crisis. I will keep writing this and shouting it from the rooftops until decision makers will engage in a real conversation about it. Housing is healthcare.
- Mayor Kate Gallego issued a Proclamation on July 31, 2020 as Michael McQuaid Day. Governor Doug Ducey tweeted about our community’s loss of Mike. Thank you to our elected officials for recognizing the giant of a man who was a humble servant. It leads us to a new refrain here at the Human Services Campus, “Be like Mike.”
|
|
YOUR FEEDBACK IS NEEDED!
We need your help! While a draft plan was approved, now is when the work begins. This page is designed to get your feedback on the proposed strategies and commitment to help make this plan a reality.
• Take one of the online surveys below. The surveys will be open through Aug. 7, 2020.
Survey for Phoenix residents, business owners and stakeholders- English/Spanish
Survey for those currently experiencing homelessness - English/Spanish
|
|
Homelessness is not a choice. The reasons men and women experience homelessness are as diverse as they are. To address the challenge, the Human Services Campus and our collaborating partners are seeking Phoenix City Council approval to add more shelter beds. We are not expanding the Campus. We need permission to use our existing space for those men and women already at and near the Campus, so that more people can sleep inside.
|
|
Donation Drive-By August 15th |
We need at least 60,000 water bottles / month to keep our clients hydrated and healthy. Our next bottled water donation drop-off at 15th Avenue & Harrison is Saturday, August 15th from 9am to noon, and it couldn’t be easier. You pull up and our staff will remove the donations from your trunk or the back of your vehicle. Contact Ivan at 602-282-0849 or volunteer@hsc-az.org for more information.
Or click below to contribute online and help us purchase water in bulk at discounted prices.
|
|
|
Human Services Campus | 204 S. 12th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85007 | 602.282.0853 | www.hsc-az.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
