Last updated March 17, 2020
Dear READI Chicago partners,
In anticipation of the ongoing spread of COVID-19 across the globe, Heartland Alliance is taking steps to help slow the potential spread of the virus among employees, participants, partners, and the broader community. We want you to know that the safety and well-being of our employees and participants is our top priority, and we know that our services are an important part of that safety. We are committed to continuing to deliver robust services to our men to the best of our ability, understanding that we must consider guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, and state and local officials.
Read about Heartland Alliance’s response to COVID-19 here.
Program Adaptations
Our staff are hearing directly from participants that they want to stay engaged with READI Chicago during this pandemic. In order to continue providing participant-facing services, we will adapt our approach to prioritize both the health of employees and participants, and the safety of our participants and their communities, by limiting face-to-face interactions whenever possible.
Effective March 17, 2020, READI Chicago is implementing changes in the following areas
- Outreach Activity: READI Chicago outreach teams are seeing that violence patterns continue to be active despite COVID-19, and therefore, they remain committed to relentless engagement. Outreach teams will be using technology when possible to remotely check in with participants daily. Outreach staff are also building awareness and educating communities about the spread of the virus and dispelling myths.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): We are taking steps to encourage social distancing, including reducing the size of in-person CBT and professional development groups, and moving these groups to online platforms when possible. Our coaches and crew chiefs are focused on staying connected to our participants, already at high risk of isolation, by checking in daily and supporting a community approach to ensure that participants are prioritizing their own health and that of their families and communities.
- Transitional Jobs (TJ): READI Chicago partners are encouraging social distancing during TJ work hours by reducing the size of work crews. In anticipation of employer partner closures, we are working to identify alternative work projects to help participants maintain their income. In instances when transitional employment cannot safely continue, we are working to develop increased professional development programming and have committed to ensuring that active participants will continue to receive wages until safe subsidized employment is possible.
Community Education
READI Chicago also recognizes that there are misconceptions in the communities we serve about the risk of COVID-19. We also know that COVID-19 will disproportionately impact our low-income neighbors and communities. READI Chicago partners see dispelling myths and disseminating accurate information about COVID-19 as an imperative. READI Chicago will activate staff and participants as credible messengers in their communities to help spread accurate and culturally competent information about the virus and how to stay safe.
Moving Forward
We remain steadfast in our commitment to our READI Chicago staff, participants, partners, and communities. We have always known that READI Chicago is a public health intervention, and now we are seeing that reality through new eyes. Given the evolving nature of this public health crisis, know that READI Chicago leadership across partners is in daily communication—please expect that planning and guidance will continue to evolve.
In the meantime, we encourage everyone to take care of your health and well-being. If you are sick, stay home. Please limit face-to-face interactions. When possible, work remotely. If you have a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, contact your health care provider immediately. Read the CDC’s recommendations if you are sick or suspect you are sick with COVID-19.
Thanks again to everyone who continues to support, champion, lead, and build our READI Chicago community. My gratitude for each of you runs deep, and you are building my confidence that we will get through this stronger, and together.
Take care,
Eddie Bocanegra
Senior Director, READI Chicago
More ways to get involved
- Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated on the latest developments with our work.
- Share stories of our courageous participants and employees, and help us spread accurate information about how to keep vulnerable populations safe from COVID-19.
- Make a gift to help employees across the Alliance provide access to critical supportive services to those who are most vulnerable.
- Donate homemade masks to help fight COVID-19.
We are grateful for the support and care you have for the individuals we serve, and for our employees who are on the frontlines every day.
