The Director of a local men’s homeless shelter says that his organization was affected “a lot, but not too much” by the COVID pandemic.
While on WOMT’s Be My Guest program yesterday morning (January 3rd), Michael Etheridge explained that The Haven of Manitowoc County was still able to help local men in need, but on a reduced scale.
“We couldn’t have the full capacity of 20 men at a time anymore, so that capacity has been reduced…to 10 to 12 men,” Etheridge explained. “When the pandemic first hit us, we had 10 men in shelter a t the time, and no one was asked to leave.”
They did shut down their operation for a couple of weeks to re-evaluate the situation, and to figure out what the best course of action would be moving forward.
“Since then, we have continued our services,” Etheridge said.
They also were able to create a program in partnership with Holiday Inn, where men who experience symptoms of COVID can stay for up to 14 days to quarantine, which is also available for their staff.
Etheridge called it a “fantastic program.”
Etheridge also said that his team implemented a protocol, where men are required to have a negative COVID test in order to enter their housing location at 1003 Marshal Street in Manitowoc.
The Haven also requires masks and social distancing within their facility to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
To learn more about The Haven, visit TheHavenOfManitowoc.org.
