This week, Governor approved the next phase of reopening in Massachusetts, and we are beginning to think through all the changes we will need to implement to open our thrift stores, and later, our sewing and culinary training programs. We must create new COVID protocols to keep people safe in each facility and retrain our staff to teach and enforce these protocols with our Guests and as well with our donors and volunteers who are essential to our programs. This thoughtful and steady process will serve our Guests well and offer reasonable protection for our staff who come to work every day to provide the life-giving services that our Shelter, Soup Kitchen, and Food Pantry provide for the people of Lawrence.
We are navigating these COVID realities. We are united in taking a moderate, thoughtful approach to reopening because all of us know someone who has gotten gravely ill from COVID, and all of us know someone who has lost a loved one to the virus. We offer each other the patience and grace to be care-filled in this process.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the volunteers who have come to our aid as we have renovated the shelter and made necessary repairs to the Good Shepherd Center; your “dedication in action” is a joy to see. Thank you.
For all of you who have blessed Lazarus House with financial support, thank you. The way you all have stepped up in this time of crisis gives us hope, encouragement and the ability to serve the materially poor of greater Lawrence with all our heart, soul, and strength.
Thank you for being a vital part of this ministry.