In the beginning, when some programs had to be put on hold, Kari Collins was faced with having to lay off some of her staff. But the emergency funding from United Methodist Women, along with a payroll protection assistance from the federal government, allowed her to maintain most of her work force. To keep staff safe, the mission now has a 14-step “Health at Work” plan that includes staggered times in the office, daily sanitizing of workstations and temperature checks.
One of the mission’s most crucial programs is Work Camp. The program draws about 2,400 volunteers from churches, schools or service organizations for short- or long-term mission trips for projects such as housing repairs and building accessibility ramps for elderly and low-income families.
Because the people stay in cabins, paying the mission room and board, the camp had to be delayed about a month so that a health and safety plan could be put in place. Many volunteers whose trips were canceled sent a donation instead, which was directed to hire local people to tackle the jobs they would have done on the mission.
Collins anticipates a “new normal” regarding health guidelines going forward. She also worries about a drop in charitable giving, which Red Bird Mission depends on to survive.
“It’s easy to get discouraged,” Collins said. “But all the acts of kindness we’ve witnessed these past few months restore my faith in humanity. At the heart of it, people really do care for one another and take care of one another, especially in the worst of times.”
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This episode originally appeared in the September/October 2020 issue of response, the award winning magazine from United Methodist Women.
Visit www.UnitedMethodistWomen.org to find out more.
