These are undoubtedly difficult times as we try to navigate, offering support to grieving adult, children and families in light of the outbreak of COVID-19.
I Care Community Development Corporation’s Founder/Executive Director and the Board of Directors are taking steps to ensure YOUR safety and the safety of our volunteers. We will be closely monitoring the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) developments and making the decision whether to participate in any community events, and if support groups and seminars will be temporarily postponed/canceled.
In the meantime, it is our standard to practice protective precautions. I Care CDC Board Members and volunteers will continue to demonstrate safe hygiene practices by
· Hand washing with antibacterial soap
· Use of hand sanitizer
· Cough into the elbow or a tissue
· Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces of marketing material
· Wipe down audience chairs with Lysol and/or Antibacterial Wipes before and after use
· Use gloves as appropriate.
In the event a decision is made to move forward in a program, you will be greeted with an I Care Smile and symbol of love. We will continue to have hand sanitizer available for our attendees/guest. Refreshments may not be provided as a safety precaution. If you or if you have been around anyone experiencing any flu-like or other relevant symptoms; or any exposure to COVID-19 in or outside of the U.S., we are kindly asking you to refrain from attending.
For more information on the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please go to www.cdc.gov/COVID19
I encourage everyone to prioritize self-care. For many of us, there is grief in the loss of normalcy, and I encourage you to embrace that. You are never alone in the experience, the challenges it may be creating, and the feelings that may be surfacing or resurfacing.
Bring you Fears to Light
Say you’re in a dark room, and it frighten you. What would you do?
You may turn on the light to see if something was really there and if there is a reason to be scared. Talking about that scary thing or “turning the light on” may help you be feel less fearful.
If something scary was to really happen, how would you react? What would happen next? Who are your support groups? Do you think they can help you when you’re scared? How can they help you?
Have a conversation, especially with children: What are something you are afraid of? When do you get afraid? What are some things that can help you when you’re nervous and afraid? As a family, share what makes you nervous and find out what makes each family member feel better when they are scared.
*Some children may have difficulty understanding and expressing why they are scared and answer questions in simple ways such as “I’m scared because it’s dark”. You may ask them to draw a picture of something that makes them feel scared. Then draw a picture of something that makes them feel better.
As a family practice basic relaxation calming/breathing techniques:
Take your time as you take deep breaths, breathing in the smell of your favorite food, then blow out as you are blowing out a candle. Repeat a few times. You should find yourself calming down. * I often encourage children and adults to close their eyes to avoid distractions. If your mind wonders, bring it back to focus on the breathing, smell and blowing.
Krystal Brass, MSW, LSW, CSW-Intern
I Care CDC Founder/President/Executive Director
We See With Our Heart
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways (Psalms 91:10-11)