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ImmaComm
Building & Informing Our Community
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A publication of ImmaCare Inc.
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CARES Act:
Info for Donors
Due to the CARES Act, taxpayers who normally do not itemize can now make cash deductible gifts of up to $300. Additionally, the limit on individual taxpayers’ deductions for cash contributions to charities increases from 60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) to 100% of your AGI. This adjustment is only available for 2020 while the $300 deduction begins in 2020 until further notice. Consult your tax advisor as these changes make your charitable giving plans even more attractive.
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Thurs., Sept. 17th, 6-9pm
Pond House Cafe
West Hartford, CT
Cocktail Reception
Tickets are $100 each
For sponsorship information or to purchase advance tickets contact:
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Update from Executive Director, Lou Gilbert
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Dear Friends,
These are uncharted times. Schools, restaurants, businesses...are all closed. Life as we know it is different, and we will all likely remember things moving forward as life "before" and life "after" the COVID-19 pandemic. ImmaCare, along with our colleagues, continues to serve those experiencing homelessness, however, with some adjustments to our processes.
As you know, the shelter is currently closed for renovations. Prior to COVID-19, Shelter Shift Supervisors were assisting at the City of Hartford Warming Center to allow for more individuals to be served, and Shelter Case Managers were providing diversion services at Mercy Housing & Shelter, the Hartford Public Library, and at the House of Bread. As part of the Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network (GH-CAN), we are pulling together resources that agencies can offer to serve the most vulnerable population in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
We now have shelter staff working shifts at one of the area hotels where clients who are most at -risk of infection have been transferred to prevent infection. Locally and nationwide, shelter systems have been working on “decompressing” shelters to lower the number of people in any one shelter to allow for some of the “social distancing” that has become part of the world lexicon. As others have noted, “physical distancing” is probably a better term to describe the desired outcome. We need the social connection with others now as much as ever. This social connection has had to become more technology based; technology not readily available to people receiving services in the homeless services system. Our system is filled with people with either or both of substance abuse and mental illness histories. Social isolation caused by this pandemic can be expected to cause relapses in recovery and new experiences of these conditions. There will be great demand for services I believe in the coming months and years at a time when funding resources are likely to be scarce and stressed due to massive amounts of emergency spending to meet the crisis today.
If you would like to make a donation to support ImmaCare during this challenging time, click here
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Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, construction work on our shelter renovation project has mostly stopped for a short time. I recently placed the order for our new shelter beds coming out of Chicago and, right after, I was informed that the factory just shut down temporarily due to COVID-19. At this point we are just trying to manage through like everyone else. We will be open as soon as humanly possible.
May you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy during this unique and challenging time in our history.
~ Lou Gilbert, Executive Director
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Recently, IAR Bridge Ministries delivered 30 individually plated meals of pasta and chicken, along with a salad, to the residents of Casa de Francisco. What a thoughtful gesture! Peachie Cuttino of IAR said, "IAR Bridge Ministries, 'A Church Without Walls,' is a church that goes beyond the four walls of a building to serve the community. This is a difficult time for many people, and it is our desire to help as many people as we can. ImmaCare was one of the agencies we were happy to support."
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Recently, ImmaCare held a Client Memorial Service for six housing clients that passed away in the past year, five of whom were residents of Casa de Francisco. Those we serve are previously homeless, living in shelters or in places not meant for human habitation prior to being housed in one of our programs. Though it is quite sad that these lives were lost, we find solitude knowing that at the time of their passing, they had their own home, they were not alone, and they were part of our community. They joined in activities, such as Bingo Night or trips bowling or playing miniature golf. They participated in groups that focused on self-care, such as nutrition, meditation and yoga. Thank you to our Housing Staff who organized a very special memorial service in the memory of the clients we lost.
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Teresa A. Wierbicki
Director of Strategic Development
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