Carpenter’s Shelter is working through the COVID-19 pandemic without its cadre of volunteers, and people are now staying at Alexandria’s largest homeless shelter for longer periods of time, according to the organization’s executive director.
“The days have been long and the challenge is great, but the best perspective on all of this is that our work and our mission has never felt more critical than it does right now,” Carpenter’s Shelter Executive Director Shannon Steene told ALXnow. “We are seeing more people in the shelter for longer periods of time, and all in the context of asking our volunteers not to be volunteering at the shelter for the health and safety of our residents.”
The pandemic has forced Carpenter’s Shelter — located at the vacated Macy’s department store at Landmark Mall — to ask its 1,200 volunteers to stay home, and Steene’s staff of 25 employees are going outside their job descriptions to make sure that the organization’s 60-bed emergency shelter remains operational and that the virus does not make its way in. Carpenter’s Shelter is also still operating its hypothermia shelter.
Steene said that Carpenter’s Shelter needs grocery store gift cards for individuals and families and hand sanitizer. He also said that residents and staff are taking daily temperature checks.
“We have deputized staff and residents as wipe down warriors, so there’s a lot of wiping of any touched surfaces going on,” he said. “
Usually there are upward of 20 volunteers working at Carpenter’s Shelter every day –out of 1200 volunteers — and Steene said this is the first time in the organization’s history that volunteers have not helped weather a crisis.
“We have had winter storms where five staff members have stayed in the building for 52 hours at one stretch just making sure that everything is safe and suitable for the residents, but this is the first time in our organizational life that we haven’t had volunteers in the shelter,” he said. “And I’ve got to say that our volunteers are embedded in our culture and the energy. We look forward to when all of this is under our control and seeing those volunteers come back into our work. They’re the lifeblood of what we do.”
Alexandria COVID-19 Count Now At 20 — “AHD is identifying and contacting individuals who came in close contact with the confirmed cases. The close contacts will be asked to self-quarantine and actively monitor for fever and respiratory symptoms. If they start experiencing symptoms, they will immediately undergo testing. As a result of the AHD’s case investigations and expanded testing through private providers, the number of positive cases is expected to continue to increase.” [City of Alexandria]
City’s COVID-19 Fund Reaches $470K — “Thanks to your generous support, ACT for Alexandria and the City of Alexandria have begun to provide grants to the nonprofit organizations on the front lines of this crisis. As of this week, we have made $245,010 in grants.” [Zebra]
Levine Hosting Health Director in Virtual Monthly Meetup — “We will be hosting Mark’s Monthly Meetup virtually this Sunday between 1 and 3 pm. Likely through either Zoom or Facebook Live. Perhaps both if we can figure it out. Details to come.” [Facebook]
Beyer Laments U.S. Leading World With COVID-19 Cases — “Very, very bad: the United States now leads the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases. PLEASE STAY HOME.” [Twitter]
Fire Department Advises Against Overloading Power Strips — “If you’re teleworking to help #stopthespread, you’re probably using multiple electronic devices to keep up with your workload. To prevent an electrical fire, don’t overload your power strips.” [Twitter]
Chat Today With Martha Washington in Mount Vernon Live Stream — “Join us for our first Casual Friday Livestream, where we’ll do something new & different each Friday at 12:00 pm ET! This week, join us for a chat with young Martha Washington in the year 1769. Ask her your questions now, and we’ll start with those tomorrow on Facebook & YouTube.” [Twitter]
fibre space Moves to Online Shopping Only — “We will not be scheduling any additional in store private shopping appointments. If you are currently scheduled, your appointment is still on. Please feel free to shop via phone, web or virtual shopping on Zoom.” [Facebook]
Carpenter’s Shelter Thanks Supporters — “One of our biggest concerns amidst all of this turmoil, has been making sure we are able to keep our residents fed. In our current temporary location we do not have a stove, so we are reliant more than ever on our wonderful volunteers and donors to provide prepared food for our clients. And thanks to them, this concern thus far has been unfounded.” [Facebook]
(Updated at 12:20 p.m.) The vehicle that struck and killed 89-year-old artist Alfredo DaSilva on Duke Street on Sunday morning, Jan. 26, was a Carpenter’s Shelter shuttle van, ALXnow has learned.
DaSilva was hit by the shelter’s daily shuttle van after it dropped off guests of its winter and day programs. Carpenter’s Shelter is located at Landmark Mall, in the former Macy’s department store, about a mile from the scene of the crash.
The incident occurred just before 8 a.m. as DaSilva crossed Duke Street at the intersection of Cameron Station Blvd.
Carpenter’s Shelter released the following statement to ALXnow:
Carpenter’s Shelter operates a daily shuttle which serves the guests of our Winter Shelter and David’s Place programs. We have been informed that — after all guests had been transported on Sunday morning January 26, 2020 — the shuttle vehicle was involved in a serious accident in the City of Alexandria. As of now, we have been given no further details pending the outcome of the investigation currently underway by law enforcement authorities.  We are and will continue cooperating fully with law enforcement throughout the duration of the investigation. We are deeply concerned for all involved, and will communicate further details to the Carpenter’s Shelter community as soon as they are available.
The driver of the vehicle is a Carpenter’s Shelter staff member. The driver called the police, stayed at the scene after the incident and was released without charges.
Map and photo via Google Maps
