Front Line Pay for Arlington Shelter Staff
Donation protected
I'm raising money to benefit four emergency shelters in Arlington County. The front line staff at these organizations are heroes who risk their personal health and wellness for those most vulnerable. I want to offer each front line staff member a $5/ hour bonus for their selfless work for at least two weeks. Any donation will help make an impact.
$40 = one 8 hour shift (1 day)
$200 = five 8 hour shifts (1 week)
$400 = ten 8 hour shifts (2 weeks)
Why am I doing this?
On Wednesday, March 25, my husband and I were finishing up our evening walk out of self-quarantine in the Colonial Village neighborhood around 8pm, when a young woman approached us on the sidewalk. We will call her Lindsay* to respect her privacy.
Lindsay* explained that she was homeless and needed a place to stay for the night. She was not prepared to stay outside. She was wearing a sundress and a light coat (not enough to keep her warm in the 40 degree weather) and she carried a small plastic bag of belongings. Her parents kicked her out of her house and her boyfriend was unresponsive. Also, we later learned that she suffers from a severe learning disability and cannot read or write.
My husband and I walked with Lindsay* around Arlington and eventually DC for 2-3 hours to help find her emergency shelter for the night. Along the way, we interacted with many overworked staffers who were on the front lines managing an influx in people seeking shelter during COVID-19.
In the days afterward, I shared Lindsay's* story on the Facebook group called Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other through COVID-19. I was connected with the CEO/ President of A-SPAN and asked how I could best support their efforts in this time of crisis. She explained that there is a need to compensate the front line staff who make the emergency shelters run each night. As they seek to expand their services during this crisis, none of it will be possible without the care of their front line staff.
Who will this benefit?
These four organizations are collectively supporting emergency shelter in Arlington County. Feel free to donate directly, if you see fit.
- A-SPAN: www.a-span.org
- Doorways for Women and Families: www.doorwaysva.org
- New Hope Housing: www.newhopehousing.org
- Bridges to Independence: www.bridges2.org
Some of these organizations had to cancel their annual fundraisers due to COVID-19 and are operating below their anticipated donation level, making it even harder for these critical organizations to provide the front line pay to their staff.
What's the goal?
The four organizations advised that it will cost $57,200 to offer this front line pay for one month. Let's raise funds to cover two weeks of pay: $28,600.
If we do not reach the goal, I will evenly distribute the funds to the four organizations to support their life-sustaining operations.
Thank you for your generosity in helping those who extend hospitality to the neediest every day. People like Lindsay* are depending on them to provide her a home when we are all told to stay at home.
Be Well,
Christine
$40 = one 8 hour shift (1 day)
$200 = five 8 hour shifts (1 week)
$400 = ten 8 hour shifts (2 weeks)
Why am I doing this?
On Wednesday, March 25, my husband and I were finishing up our evening walk out of self-quarantine in the Colonial Village neighborhood around 8pm, when a young woman approached us on the sidewalk. We will call her Lindsay* to respect her privacy.
Lindsay* explained that she was homeless and needed a place to stay for the night. She was not prepared to stay outside. She was wearing a sundress and a light coat (not enough to keep her warm in the 40 degree weather) and she carried a small plastic bag of belongings. Her parents kicked her out of her house and her boyfriend was unresponsive. Also, we later learned that she suffers from a severe learning disability and cannot read or write.
My husband and I walked with Lindsay* around Arlington and eventually DC for 2-3 hours to help find her emergency shelter for the night. Along the way, we interacted with many overworked staffers who were on the front lines managing an influx in people seeking shelter during COVID-19.
In the days afterward, I shared Lindsay's* story on the Facebook group called Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other through COVID-19. I was connected with the CEO/ President of A-SPAN and asked how I could best support their efforts in this time of crisis. She explained that there is a need to compensate the front line staff who make the emergency shelters run each night. As they seek to expand their services during this crisis, none of it will be possible without the care of their front line staff.
Who will this benefit?
These four organizations are collectively supporting emergency shelter in Arlington County. Feel free to donate directly, if you see fit.
- A-SPAN: www.a-span.org
- Doorways for Women and Families: www.doorwaysva.org
- New Hope Housing: www.newhopehousing.org
- Bridges to Independence: www.bridges2.org
Some of these organizations had to cancel their annual fundraisers due to COVID-19 and are operating below their anticipated donation level, making it even harder for these critical organizations to provide the front line pay to their staff.
What's the goal?
The four organizations advised that it will cost $57,200 to offer this front line pay for one month. Let's raise funds to cover two weeks of pay: $28,600.
If we do not reach the goal, I will evenly distribute the funds to the four organizations to support their life-sustaining operations.
Thank you for your generosity in helping those who extend hospitality to the neediest every day. People like Lindsay* are depending on them to provide her a home when we are all told to stay at home.
Be Well,
Christine
Organizer
Christine Frye
Organizer
Arlington, VA