PAGE UPDATE ON JUNE 3RD, 2020

These recommendations will be updated as needed and directed by health professionals, government officials, and by recommendation of the NLFW staff and Board of Directors. 

Recommendations On Volunteerism: 

We are in full support of local and national recommendations to embrace these new practices that encourage social distancing, monitoring your own health, and being as cautious as possible. We are seeing an increase in volunteerism as the weather turns, and more people are wanting to help. We have extra staff to help and actually believe this is a great time for our volunteers to learn how to use the website like it was always intended???as a tool that allows you to self-select, organize, and complete projects without the help of anyone else. You can do it!

Wise words from Andy Crouch that we embrace: "The reason to alter our practices, especially the way we gather, is not self-protection. For one thing, in the case of this particular virus, if individuals are young and healthy, infection may pose not much more threat than the ordinary seasonal flu. The change is needed because our vulnerable neighbors ??? those of any age with compromised immune systems, and those over 70 years old ??? are at grave risk. One of the basic axioms of the Christian life is that the ???strong??? must consider the ???weak??? (see Rom. 15). We are making these choices not to minimize our own risk, but to protect others from risk." ??? ???A Guide for Christian Leaders in the Time of Coronovirus???

Volunteerism Changes & Recommendations: Update June 3rd. 

Groups of less than twenty-five people can meet together with minimal risk, provided that:

1. No one present is sick or has any reason to think they have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. 
2. Change your greetings by eliminating or reducing your physical touch for the time being. 
3. Eliminate or reduce carpooling to job sites. Drive with masks and increased ventilation, if it is a must. 
4. Shared surfaces (tools, equipment, supplies, etc.) are disinfected before and after the project. Bring cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer. 
5. Everyone washes their hands thoroughly (more than 20 seconds) upon arrival and upon returning to your home or on the project. 
6. Food and drink are served individually.
7. As much distance as possible is maintained between members of different households and their belongings. 

We must all immediately change our practices for the good of ourselves and our neighbors. Our mission is first done out of love for our recipients, and not to place them in any more danger than they would otherwise suffer due to our intervention/assistance. 

This is basic but we have to highlight the disruption and change that has to be implemented right now???not out of panic or fear, but out of great love and intentionality. Those seeking to serve this vulnerable population must understand you do present a risk, even though you are trying to show God???s love. 

As of right now, we invite basic self-assessment in light of what must change in how we all deliver service through NeighborLink. NeighborLink encourages volunteers to be mobilized in smaller groups of 10 or less, but are starting to work with larger groups for the summer months on outside projects like house painting. Spacing will be a new, but necessary, practice for many of our larger volunteer groups. Great changes adopted now will serve to extend the term and the amount of fruit born for God???s glory.  

Derrick and Jeff are available to explain and support volunteerism under these "new normal" practices. 

We have every reason to trust that this epidemic will pass. However, we know that it will be present for many weeks or months to come. Therefore, we're taking all the necessary precautions to act ethically??? to do what is right in the trust that we can do good and do well at the same time.