Dear Friends and Supporters,

I hope that each and every one of you are safe and healthy during this national crisis and our hearts go out to those who have been personally effected. During this very challenging time, we know that the youth and families we serve are especially vulnerable. Youth who are experiencing abuse, runaway or homelessness, victims of human trafficking, living in unsafe situations, living in poverty and all the other youth we serve, often have limited access to critical services, especially in these difficult times.

During this COVID-19 emergency, The Children’s Aid Society of West Texas Inc. is committed to the safety and well-being of our staff, youth, families and the communities we serve. Because we provide “essential services,” we are also committed to ensuring that the youth we serve still have their critical needs met and access to the help they seek during the new shelter in place order for Texas and our community.

Given the nature of our work, the vulnerable population we serve and that we are deemed to provide essential services, we can’t just simply shut down. Our agency has implemented procedures to ensure safety and health, while still remaining operational. Our services to youth are continuing.

As you can imagine, we’ve had to adjust how we provide services and operate our business activities.

  • We have implemented safety (social distancing) and enhanced cleaning measures in our shelters and most things are done via the internet for schooling, visitation, and counseling. This has modified our service delivery model in our programs, which includes the implementation of tele-services as much as possible.
  • CAS is also aware of our staff’s health and safety and are following all the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local public health recommendations and orders. Therefore, we test our staff for fever and monitor exposure to illness prior to working a shift.  We continue to practice social distancing, hand washing, enhanced cleaning of our facilities and we also have implemented gloves and masks as needed.
  • Our staff are regularly deep-cleaning and disinfecting frequently used common areas of our building and all surfaces (e.g., door knobs, handles, cabinets, railings, etc.).  We have hand-washing signage posted around our building educating staff and youth about utilizing the 20-second hand-washing rule with soap prior to them entering the program space, and “cover your cough” signs at entrances, washroom sinks, and high-traffic areas. Hand sanitizer has been placed throughout the facility.  We are taking these steps with big doses of kindness and love, doing everything in our power to protect the health and safety of our youth and our staff.

At the same time, critical supplies are running low in parts of the country.  We are closely monitoring our pantry and supply stocks, including cleaning supplies, as we work to ensure youth experiencing homelessness can access essential and enrichment resources right now. The demand for additional resources like cleaning supplies, among other things, have increased.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Children’s Aid Society of Wets Texas Inc.  appreciates all supplies and monetary donations, particularly.

  • QTips, Cotton Balls, Kleenex
  • Wet Wipes or Baby Wipes
  • Disinfectant Spray
  • Alcohol-Based and Hand Sanitizer
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • “All” Clear Laundry Detergent Pods
  • Paper Goods
  • Gift Cards for meals, general supplies, and clothing.
  • Art Supplies and Craft Kits of Any Style
  • Canvases (All Sizes), Acrylic Paints, and Paint Brushes (All sizes)

If you are unable to donate mentioned items, we ask that you consider making a financial donation to our agency at: www.caswt.org or mail it to:

Children’s Aid Society of West Texas Inc.

1101 30th St

Wichita Falls, Texas 76302

As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 outbreak our mission of supporting homeless and abused youth is our priority. The Children’s Aid Society of West Texas Inc. extends its condolences to all those impacted by the pandemic. To everyone on the front lines, all of the medical, emergency, delivery, law enforcement, CPS workers, grocery workers, to all of the people opening their hearts and helping one another, thank you. Together we will work through this time.

Warm Regards and Stay Safe!

Sheila Catron / Executive Director

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