Here at the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, health and safety has always been our top priority! In the wake of the spread of COVID-19, we are working diligently by taking necessary precautions to protect our guests, staff members, volunteers, and our neighbors who are at high risk to exposure of the COVID-19.

The Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission has been in contact with our local health department. To date, no known cases of the coronavirus have been identified at any of the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission’s campuses.

We continue to monitor the situation closely, following all recommended guidelines from the Louisiana Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Our primary concern is the safety of our guests, staff, and volunteers. Many of those we serve have underlying health issues which places them at greater risk, and we are doing everything we can do to provide safe facilities.

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Mission had implemented a mandatory policy that all cleaning supplies used at our campuses must be hospital grade. We will continue to utilize the practices we already have in place and are increasing the amount of cleaning and sanitization of our buildings. In addition, we are instructing everyone on steps they can take to prevent the spread of the virus.

Each year, the Mission serves more than 1,100 men, women, and children. The following protocol has been put in place to limit the risk of COVID-19:

• Increased frequency and rigor of cleaning and sanitation
• Increased hand sanitizing stations
• Display of signage on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19
• Enhancement of our in-take procedure that will increase our staff’s assessment of a potential guest’s health and any potential risk factors
• For the safety of our volunteers and to be in compliance with government orders to limit the number of individuals in a public gathering, volunteer service has been temporarily suspended effective immediately until further notice. Please check your email and follow us on social media for up to date information
• All nonessential Mission operations have been temporarily suspended until further notice. This includes the Mission Thrift Store and Donation Pickups. Essential services such as feeding and shelter our guests will continue.
• To encourage our community to shelter in place as declared by Governor Edwards and to limit our exposure risk, the Mission will not accept any nonessential donation. The Mission has been blessed with enough clothing and basic need items to meet our guests needs for the weeks to come. Only essential, hard to come by supplies will be accepted such as toilet paper, paper towels, and hand sanitizer.
• Staff with any of the symptoms, fever and cough, flu like symptoms is asked to stay home

In addition, to help our most vulnerable neighbors and to keep the guests currently residing at the Mission safe, we have adjusted our intake procedure. The following measures have been put in place regarding the Mission’s Intake Procedure:

• Intake hours have moved from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We want to make sure that we give everyone in need the opportunity to get off the street and into safe shelter.
• We are asking more questions during our intake screening. We want to know where someone has travelled, if they have any underlying health issues, and more.
• Our staff is checking all guests temperatures at the door. Temperature checks are done on a guest upon entering the Mission and will continued to be checked as they go in and out of the building throughout their stay at the Mission.
• Once a guest is a part of the Mission’s program, we are asking everyone to follow CDC guidelines of social distancing and stay in house. We ask only those who work and those who have appointments that they must attend to come and out from the Mission.
• Quarantine rooms and protocol have been put in place should any guest at the Mission display symptoms of COVID-19. If guests display common symptoms of COVID-19, the Mission will work to get those individuals transported to the appropriate healthcare facility.

The Mission is following CDC recommendations and guidelines. We are doing our part to make sure that we keep our guests and community safe. We have been asked if we are going to be remain open due to the Governor’s Edwards recent proclamation limiting gathering to 50 or fewer people. We want to assure everyone that the Mission is considered an essential service just as a hospital and nursing home would be; therefore, we are allowed to remain open. If you see someone in need of help, please direct them to the Mission. We are here to help our neighbors and our community during this difficult time.

The Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. We are supported by private, tax-deductible donations, a significant portion of which comes from individuals. The Mission receives no funds from governmental agencies.

Unlike some businesses and organizations, we cannot shut down and send people home. The Mission is their home, so we have to do everything in our power to keep our guests safe and provide clean and safe facilities. We want our community to rest assure that the Mission will continue its work of helping the hungry, homeless, abused, and addicted in our cities.

Our staff is continuing to pray for you and your families during this time. Just as you have been here for us in times of need, we are here for you. Time and time again, you have shown how generous our community is and how we rally together in times of need. We would be honored to pray for you and your family in your time of need. If you would like us to pray for you, please email us your prayer request to prayer@sbrescuemission.com.

If you are looking for ways that you can help the Mission, here are a couple of suggestions on how you can help.

• Continue to pray for the Mission’s guests, staff and families
• Check social media often to stay up to date on our current immediate needs
• Share our updates on social media so we can spread our needs to the community at large
• Give a financial gift to help continue the work of our Life Recovery Program. We’re concerned with the fluctuation in the market and economic fears that donations may take a dive, just when we need them the most. Your gift will ensure that no needs of our guests and our cities go unmet

Please continue to pray for our community and those who have been affected by the COVID-19.