During this unprecedented health crisis in our nation, Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance would like to take this time to let everyone know the protocols that we are implementing to protect our staff, as well as the children we serve, the volunteers and families we work with. We are depending on the guidance and knowledge provided by our local health departments and the center for disease control and prevention as well as our elected officials. As of Monday March 16, 2020 we are implementing the following protocols:
Community Based Mentoring Programs: Mentors and Mentees in our community based program can continue to meet based on their own discretion. We recommend matches avoid large gathering spaces when meeting. We recommend our matches not to meet if anyone has
1.
Recently traveled to a high or medium risk area
2.
Come in contact with anyone with the virus
3.
Shows any signs of illness
If mentors and mentees have concerns or need anything, please speak with Anna Marie Palmer at 440-413-2723. Or email her at apalmer@torchlightyma.org
Site – Based Mentoring Programs: In accordance with Governor DeWine’s mandated 3 week closure of K – 12 schools in Ohio beginning today, Monday March 16
th all of Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance’s site base mentoring programs have been suspended and will remain suspended until schools are back in session. Our site base coordinators will be in contact with both mentees and mentors to touch base on how they are doing. If anyone has any questions please contact Tia Lawrence at tlawrence@Torchlightyma.org
COUL Club (Club of Unmatched Littles): There will not be any COUL Club Activities during this time. We will update once something changes. If there are any questions please contact either Anna Marie Palmer at
apalmer@Torchlightyma.org or Tia Lawrence at
tlawrence@Torchlightyma.org
Foster Care Program: As of this time, we are suspending the program until April 18
th and we will re-evaluate at that time if necessary. Our program manager will be in contact with the mentors and mentees weekly to update and stay in communication. If anyone has any questions please contact either Lauren Welch at
lwelch@Torchlightyma.org or Tia Lawrence at
tlawrence@Torchlightyma.org
Chagrin Falls Park Program: As of this time, we are suspending our program until further notice. We will update once something changes. If there are any questions please contact either Julianna Fellows at
Jfellows@Torchlightyma.org or Tia Lawrence at
Tlawrence@Torchlightyma.org
E-City Program: In accordance with Governor DeWine’s mandated 3 week closure of K – 12 schools in Ohio beginning today, March 16, 2020 the E-City program has been suspended and will remain suspended until schools resume. If anyone has any questions please contact Tia Lawrence at
tlawrence@Torchlightyma.org
Enrollment of new Mentees and Mentors: Our staff will be working remotely for the next few weeks while we continue to deal with this health crisis. We are accepting applications online and through email. In person interviews will be scheduled on a case by case basis.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Ohio Department of Health’s website at
We are working diligently to keep everyone informed of updates. We know this is a difficult time for everyone. Please feel free to reach out if you would like additional information or if you just need to talk. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our staff. We appreciate all of your support during this time.
Sincerely,
Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance
