Weekly highlights
Monday April 9: A guest came to the staff office for Tylenol and through conversation we learned much of her life story. While it was heart breaking it also gave an opportunity for prayer and healing. A mom who has been working very hard toward her housing got a two day heads up from an apartment that she could move in. We rejoiced.
Tuesday April 10: One of our children was out of control and hurting another child. Staff stepped in to help restrain him. It took over 30 minutes for the 9 year old to calm down. Afterwards, he was a well behaved child again. We encouraged mom to seek mental health help for the child.
Wednesday April 11: One of our guests was becoming very anxious over the expectations for further stay. She is also very bitter with her employers and transfers much of that anger toward staff. We are working on helping her focus A woman was wandering up and down East Sprague and was very confused. Staff helped her in our Phase II room for the night since she did not seem stable enough for the regular shelter. We will reevaluate in the morning. One of our singles is also feeling very anxious by some poor parenting that she is seeing by one of our moms. We have been working with this mom but not making much progress. We checked in a mom who is definitely coming down from something. Our goal right now is to keep the kids safe.
Thursday April 12: Set up new entertainment cabinet in staff office. We are looking much better and more professional. The staff had a conversation with one of our guests who has been keeping their puppy (not service or therapy animal) in their car. She told us that the dog will be moving to a kennel by tomorrow. The child who was aggressive toward another child on Tuesday was walking around threatening others. Mom didn’t seem to think it was a big deal despite many conversations and the issues on Tuesday. She has been asked to leave Friday morning.
Friday April 13: Reports of a mom being abusive toward her child. Several guests and staff have contacted Child Protective Services in the hopes of helping this child.
Weekend: Mom that had checked in high continued to use throughout the week and was asked to leave. We also started working with a mom with a very sweet disabled son (25 years old) since we are currently pretty stuffed at the shelter we are using our Phase II room for these two for now. Otherwise we would need to double up and that would be uncomfortable for many of our moms (Put into a room with a 25 year old man.)
General comments: Anxiety seems to be higher among the ladies checking into the Crisis Shelter right now and that creates a stressful environment for others. Interestingly most of those anxious people sleep a lot during the day so the day is very quiet!
Current Crisis Shelter Purpose Statement:
The Crisis Shelter for Women and Children exists to increase the impact of our ministries of rescue, recovery and restoration by partnering with staff, volunteers and donors. We will do this by meeting basic needs in a safe, clean, temporary shelter, with instruction and guidance for life transformation in a healing environment.
No comments:
Post a Comment