CareNet & Covid: High Touch in a High Tech Environment

For purposes of responding to the Covid pandemic, temporary changes were made to expand the services of CareNet, which were intended to continue for the duration of the pandemic.

In mid-March a group of TJMC folks came together under circumstances that none could have envisioned a mere several weeks prior. The catalyst was Covid-19. The group was formed to provide a network with the objective to stay lovingly and regularly connected, and to run errands, provide meals, and whatever other pressing need that might arise for those in our congregation who are in a vulnerable age group, or who are living alone or in assisted living and nursing homes.

In mid-March, none could have known that today, over three months later, this group would still be together performing the same objectives of staying connected to fellow TJMC folks via a Phone Tree of 40-plus members who call and are called regularly, and by 25-plus Errand Volunteers who perform a myriad of services, such as getting groceries, taking folks to appointments, and providing computer help.

An unforeseen result of this effort has taken place. While we have found that most of our recipient folks have their material needs met, the true value of these call visits and errands is the warm social connection that has developed between the callers and the called and between the errand volunteers and the recipients. Surely, this embodies important aspects of our covenant with one another.

If you are touched by this update and you wish to be a part of this effort, or if you know of someone who could benefit from a call or help, please contact Greta Dershimer and Sandy Brooks at carenet@uucharlottesville.org.