Protecting Our Most Vulnerable
Our response to the COVID-19 crisis has been rapid and evolving, with the well-being of those we serve the leading, constant priority.
We’ve collaborated with public and private partners, including the City of Quincy, City of Brockton, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, Manet Community Health Center, and Boston Health Care for the Homeless, to help protect the health of our guests and staff.
Late Winter: Increased preventative measures at shelters, disinfecting more often, making hand sanitizer readily available.
Early March: Enhanced intake screening processes for our shelter guests and began regular deep cleaning at our sites.
March 12: Suspended volunteer operations and visitors at shelter locations.
Mid-March: Consulted with peers in Washington and New York to understand best practices. They recommended creating additional shelter space to make social distancing possible for guests.
Late March: Began testing of shelter guests and staff at MainSpring House in Brockton.
April 1: Opened up a satellite shelter at the South Shore YMCA branch in Quincy.
April 6: Opened up heated temporary shelter tents adjacent to MainSpring House.
April 9: Began testing of Quincy shelter guests. Guests are tested and brought to a local hotel to quarantine while awaiting test results.
June: Opened satellite shelter sites at hotels in Quincy and Brockton, replacing the temporary sites operated at South Shore YMCA and temporary tents.
Early results indicate that these measures have been effective in reducing spread across the population we serve.
The road ahead is long but we are filled with hope that our community will continue to 
come together to care for our neighbors in need.
Impact of COVID-19 on FBMS operations
- Increased need and costs for cleaning supplies/services and hygiene products
- Decreased volunteer workforce and meal donations
- Increased utility costs to power temporary shelter sites
- Ever-increasing need for personal protective equipment like gloves and masks
- Doubled size of frontline workforce to staff new shelter locations
- Increased hourly wages of essential frontline staff
Keeping our shelter doors open and our facilities safe during this crisis has resulted in an additional $125,000 each month that must be met privately.
Although financial donations give us the most flexibility in responding to this crisis, there are number of ways you can help your neighbors in need during this unprecedented time, such as donating prepared meals, cleaning supplies or PPE. Click here to learn how you can give back.
Providing hope in the age of COVID-19
