|
How We've Adapted
We listened, learned, followed advice, and responded
| |
| TrueNorth, like all of us, has faced a huge learning curve on how to function in a pandemic. We had no idea what it meant, what to do, and what COVID-19’s real impact would be.
Over the past few months, we listened to the experts, read constantly to learn as scientists and doctors better understood the virus, followed Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s advice, and worked to develop and modify our response.
TrueNorth did not have face masks, protective gloves, bulk hand sanitizer, thermometers, or hospital-grade cleaning materials in stock. Why would we need those things? We, like you, struggled to locate these newly-necessary items.
As we have learned, we have taken actions and precautions to address COVID-19:
- We moved the vast majority of our staff to work remotely. The transition has worked amazingly well, and all of our services have continued to be provided.
- Because we are classified as essential services, a core group of 15 staff have continued working at the TrueNorth Service Center to support our operations.
- We've closed the Service Center to the public for now as a protective measure.
- Everyone working in the Service Center wears masks and gloves, is taking staff temperatures before entering, sanitizing hourly, and maintaining social distancing.
- We changed our Food Pantry from self-serve to curbside drive-up service; increased food quantity in our pre-packed pantry boxes; and doubled the monthly food trucks from Feeding America West Michigan to meet growing needs.
- We’ve put our treasured volunteers on hiatus until it’s safe to bring you back. We miss you all.
- Our youth programs, like Camp Newaygo, mentoring, and Out-of-School Time, all moved to provide programming electronically.
- Our Weekend PowerPacks Program for kids facing hunger has been successfully modified to be delivered by schools in partnership with local school districts’ food programs.
- We canceled a number of community events to ensure everyone's safety: Bowlapalooza, our mentoring fundraiser; Camp Newaygo’s Enchanted Forest, for families; Community of Efforts, which celebrates our volunteers; Outdoor Education programs; and many more.
We, like you, continue to do our best to understand the coronavirus' impact on our local community. We are remaining fluid in our service delivery to ensure that we are addressing the needs of our community members in a safe and effective manner.
| |
|
Dinner to Go!
Ridge Specialties serves up Ridge Dinners as takeout
| |
| Ridge Specialties’ Dinners on the Ridge is a summer tradition, with gourmet three-course meals and music served up on Camp Newaygo’s Ridge Patio overlooking Pickerel Lake.
For anyone who remains cautious or desires convenience because of COVID-19, there is a delicious alternative instead: Ridge at Home, Dinner to Go! Ridge Specialties is offering specially-prepared, individually-packaged meals Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings.
“It has been great to see Ridge Specialties grow over the last two years,” Executive Chef Whitney Saylor said. “However, I am excited to serve the community in new ways such as this. We are committed to the entire month of June. As we gauge interest, we are open to continuing throughout the summer.”
Saylor designs new menus weekly released Fridays on Camp Newaygo’s website. The cost is $12 per meal, and pick-up is from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Camp Newaygo, 5333 S. Centerline Road in Newaygo. You can order by calling 231.652.1184 until 2 p.m. the day of.
Besides ordering Ridge at Home, Dinner To Go!, please consider making a donation to support our efforts and to help ensure Camp Newaygo’s future.
| |
|
Out-of-School Time
Innovative logistics and creativity help reach students in pandemic
| |
|
While Renee Platt sees students’ engagement as key for the Out-of-School Time programs she directs in Hesperia and White Cloud, the coronavirus pandemic has recast how that is happening.
“I am having to go through my parents to contact my students,” said Platt, who also oversees White Cloud Elementary School’s Engage! site.
With schools not in session in traditional settings since mid-March, innovative logistics and creativity are reaching students. That’s meant using digital tools and programming and sending home educational packets with online and offline options.
“The biggest issue that we had to deal with was finding a new way to communicate with students outside of school,” said Mandi Krbez, REACH Site Manager for White Cloud Junior-Senior High School.
To engage with her students, Krbez has used Instagram to post science experiments, art and mindfulness videos; and through Instagram’s video chat, hosted a spirit week and a virtual art show.
Dan Postema, Engage! Site Manager at Hesperia Middle/High School, said: "To increase student participation, I developed a just for fun Google Classroom and posted to it daily; everything from funny YouTube videos to weekly challenges with prizes.”
The virtual interactions, however, aren’t the same as in person, said Jennifer Way, Engage! Site Manager at Patricia St. Clair Elementary School in Hesperia.
"I miss our chats and watching them grow," Way said.
| |
| Community Activities & Events
| |
- Respond NOW to COVID-19, Volunteer Resource Center of Newaygo County remote volunteering opportunities, ongoing
- Ridge at Home, Dinner to Go!, Ridge Specialties takeout meals at Camp Newaygo, June 16, June 18, June 20, June 23, June 25, and June 27
- Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry, June 24
- Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry, July 15
- Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry, July 29
| |
|
|
|
|