COVID-19 updates

This is a trying time in so many ways. Our community members are now experiencing the compound crises of homelessness, COVID-19, and for many the continued overdose crisis. It is clear the Commonwealth doesn’t have a plan for people experiencing homelessness but especially for those living unsheltered. We will continue to provide support, solidarity, and speak up. 

 

We are committed to continuing to support our participants and community members experiencing homelessness. In consultation with our participants and unhoused organizers we have put in place a system to make the best decisions we can as a small grassroots organization while being as safe as possible. 

• We have moved our modified operations from our basement space to the lawn in front of our building. Despite social distancing, we are hoping to continue to be a place where people feel a sense of connection and belonging even if that is from six feet away. 

• Community members are welcome to drop-in at our outdoor space during our regular hours on Tuesdays or Thursdays for support including: 

  • Survival supplies (tents, sleeping bags, tarps, blankets, backpacks & hiking bags, hand warmers, hygiene & menstrual hygiene kits, MBTA passes, Gift Cards, and clothing). 

  • Utilizing our outdoor sink and electronics (phone, tablet, laptop, bracelet) charging station

  • Lunch and Snacks: We will continue to provide nourishing salads, sandwiches and prepared meals to-go rescued by our partner Food Link. We have also partnered with the City of Cambridge to provide meals to participants from a local restaurant so participants will able to both access food that meets their dietary needs, allows for choices, and ensures people have extra food to take with them in addition to the snack bags (including 6-8 snacks that are high in protein, high in fat/filling, soft or high flavor) that are being assembled by volunteers off-site for safety. 

  • Connection to Resources: We are providing as up-to-date information as possible on available resources (COVID-19, shelter, meals, healthcare access, harm reduction and treatment access, bathrooms, clean water). Participants will also be welcome to use our phone and laptops and are provided with technical support as needed (for example: with COVID-19 stimulus check forms, pandemic unemployment assistance application, or accessing a telemedicine appointment). 

  • Advocacy: Our unhoused organizing group meets on Tuesdays from 3PM-5PM and focuses on their self identified organizing priorities that fall within the categories of: Housing as a human right; health care and harm reduction; human rights, ending systems of harm, and harm reduction. 

• We continue to pause referral requests until we are able to move our operations back into our space, though  community members are able to drop-in at our outdoor space. 

• Each Sunday, we’re making a Board/Staff decision based on the information we have and the needs community members have identified about our services for the coming week with the full transparency that that could change daily as we monitor external conditions and our resources.