An update from Saranam on COVID-19

March 24, 2020

Dear ,

While it is easy to get lost in the headlines, I want to take a few moments to let you know that all of us at Saranam stand by our mission to continue to provide support for the families in our program.

I know you're concerned about the impact of this situation to all of us, and I want you to know that we've taken precautions in our office and classrooms . Our employees are working remotely. All of our health and safety are of utmost importance to us. We are monitoring the situation to proactively manage the commitments we have to each other and our stakeholders.

Many have asked how Saranam's families are doing as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. Thank you both for thinking of our families and for your prayers. We remain in close contact with our families and are providing continued support even in these restricted times.

To protect the health and safety of families, staff and volunteers, all classes and activities are cancelled until further notice. Our staff are working to continue to provide support and resources for our families. We are grateful that all of our families can remain in their apartment homes. We are finding ways to offer resources for at home children's activities and opportunities to check out books and games from our incredible library. We have been collecting families' monthly supplies of household items and toiletries and will be able to fulfill those needs for all of our families by the end of this month.

Additionally, the following steps are currently implemented to keep the children, families and staff safe:

Saranam's offices are closed and will not be accepting donations of household items until we are open.
Staff are working remotely, utilizing online meetings and conference calls.
All families will have working laptops and internet access by the end of this week during this quarantine/social distancing time.
We are developing ways to hold some classes/activities online with our families.
While the program staff are limiting face to face time, they are in touch regularly with each other and families via phone and video to monitor progress and provide support.
We have a business continuity plan in place which examines all areas of our operations to ensure we continue providing the level of service our families expect from us.
Staff are still here for you and are ready to help. Just call our main line to contact the appropriate person (505-299-6154).
Donations are still able to be made online or by calling our Development Director.

As the situation continues to develop, we will keep you informed about how our families are coping with this additional hurdle as they pull themselves permanently out of homelessness and poverty. We are committed to our mission and continue to work with our families to end their poverty and homelessness. We rely upon your continued prayers and contributions for the families' housing, safety, and for Saranam's ability to weather this time in order to continue to meet the needs of these amazing families Thank you for thinking of these vulnerable families as you attend to keeping yourself and those you love well.

Blessings,

Tracy Weaver

Executive Director

How you can help Right Now.

We have been absolutely FLOORED by the response of the community in the wake of COVID-19. The outpouring of concern for others reminds us we are part of a strong, determined community of support.

So many have asked how you can help, even though your hands are tied (hopefully being washed). If you can help during this time, here are our needs.

Monthly Supply Fundraiser

It costs approximately $2,000 each month to provide all our families with household supplies. Typically your donations of items offset much of this expense. Thank you! During this unique time we are unable to receive physical donations and are unable to send volunteers out to shop directly for our families' needs.

Please consider supporting our Family Supply Drive.

Contact Dianne Campbell at:
saranam.dianne@gmail.com or (505) 934-9110

Your support directly allows us to purchase and deliver the necessary supplies for each of our families and their children.

Thank you!

Community felt in the heart, not the hands

Our focus on community has only intensified during this time. Even though we are unable to meet in person, we are making sure that families feel the support and connection that is the true hallmark of community, including:

Making creativity packs for children to keep them learning and give their parents a chance to study.

Setting up appointments for families to check out board games and books from the Weil Family Center.

Ensuring families are aware of access to grab-and-go meals offered through APS and other community organizations. Families have utilized these frequently and say that it has helped lift some the stress about food availability.

Providing guidance for making a family schedule. This time in social isolation can be stressful for children as well. To cope, we have encouraged families to keep their kids on a schedule and several moms have found that their children are arguing less frequently because of it!

Continuous case management. We recognize that social isolation and the rapidly changing economic landscape can cause significant stress and worry for parents. To help them cope with these challenges, families receive check-ins 2-3 times per week and have access to help anytime they need it.

Do you want to help families feel that community connection? Hop onto our Facebook or Instagram page and send them an encouraging message. We'll make sure they hear it.

Updates

Supporting Saranam's next 10 families

Our priority is the health of our community and so we have made the decision to delay our annual event until a safer time. The event is just too important for us to cancel, particularly considering the impact of a crisis such as this on low-income families.

Please stay tuned to hear a new date for the breakfast.

We still want to give you the opportunity to hear how families have overcome seemingly impossible circumstances through Saranam's program. These messages of perseverance are more important now than ever. Until we can meet again...

Watch one father's speech from a previous breakfast

We will be posting more stories of family transformation and resilience on our website. Keep an eye out for these and more.

We are 100% committed to offering our program at the same capacity we have for 16 years. We know that this crisis will hit low-income families very hard and they will be more in need than ever for Saranam's program to transform their future. In order to bring 10 more families into our program in August, we need to raise $300,000. Every donation you can give will bring us one step closer to bringing these families home.

Saranam Resilience

Our families are determined that their education will not be stopped and are continuing their classes online. CNM has moved all classes to online platforms and we have begun holding meetings and tutoring sessions remotely to support their work.

Parents report that it is difficult to have uninterrupted study time to focus on their academics but are diligently working to finish their semester strong.

We are pivoting quickly to re-imagine how parenting and other classes can be facilitated going forward, should social isolation be necessary for an extended period.

We are looking forward to celebrating several graduations this May. Stay tuned for more updates on their degrees and future plans!

ICYMI: In case you missed it, here is

what happened this month.

Check out our latest blog highlighting the benefits of our gardening program

BJ Novak came by and gave an AMAZING book reading for families

Families find their village at Saranam

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Saranam | 505-299-6154 | http://saranamabq.org