COVID-19 Update

A Note From Stephanie Page, Executive Director, Abby’s House

Monday, March 16, 2020

Dear members of the Abby’s House community,

During the Coronavirus epidemic, Abby’s House remains committed to providing a safe place for the most vulnerable women and children in our community. Abby’s House meets a critical need for shelter, housing and support services in order to keep women and children safe.

To date, no cases of the virus have been identified within the Abby’s House community. Many of our residents and guests are among those most at-risk of life-threatening implications if they become ill because of the presence of existing health conditions and age.

We are following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, along with the City of Worcester and MA Department of Public Health, to protect everyone’s health and safety at Abby’s House, and we are implementing the following precautions:

• We are providing regular information about handwashing and other CDC advised precautions to prevent contracting the Coronavirus.
• We are increasing the supply of cleaning products available throughout our 4 properties and are increasing cleaning, including frequent sanitation of surfaces that are touched frequently.
• We have identified individuals at highest risk of life-threatening implications and are working 1:1 to identify the best way for them to protect their health.
• We are limiting outside visitors in order to reduce any unintended exposure to the Coronavirus.
• We are closing our thrift shop until March 30 and will evaluate the situation further as we approach that date.

Abby’s House will continue to update and share our plans as the situation progresses. If you are looking for ways to help, Abby’s House is need of the following:

• Hand sanitizer (large pumps and travel size)
• Frozen, prepared meals, like Stouffer’s lasagna
• Volunteers at the shelter to cover overnight shifts from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (due to the loss of Holy Cross volunteers who are no longer in Worcester). If interested, please contact Jean Anger, Volunteer Coordinator at jean@abbyshouse.org | (508) 756-5486 x227
• Donations to cover unexpected costs: abbyshouse.org/donate

Please visit our website for regular updates of needed items: abbyshouse.org/get-involved/donate-needed-items/. Items can be dropped off in reception at 52 High Street, Worcester.

In these unprecedented times, we are especially grateful to the staff for staying informed, working hard, and being flexible and creative to carry out our mission without putting themselves or others at risk.

We thank each of you for your continued support and compassion.

Please stay healthy and safe,
Stephanie