Real Clients Coping With COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the lives of many around the world. Within our own community, families are suffering from unemployment, lack of resources, and health concerns. To take a closer look at how our Transitional Housing Program participants are coping with the effects of COVID-19, we asked them to share their personal stories. As you continue reading, you will find testimonials showing that, even in the midst of adversity, there is hope and optimism for the future.

Note: Some details were edited to protect privacy.

From Client A:

“I must say that it has truly been stressful and has made a huge change in our lives. I have been cut short on my hours at work. Less days at work makes things even more overwhelming. My kids are running out of things to do causing them to have anxiety. This has taken us away from going to church and keeping positive thoughts. It has affected my youngest child’s birthday and our family time together (like going to the park or even taking a walk outside) being that it’s a risk to go out of the door each day. This has us scared for our loved ones and we are praying for this to end real soon.”

From Client B:

“It has affected my family and myself because I have to work every day now. By law, I cannot leave my kids home by themselves for a long period of time without being supervised by an adult. My daughter has to cancel her birthday party that she has been planning for a year. My son doesn’t get to read with his tutor daily due to the virus and he’s losing out on working with his reading enrichment teacher in school. My kids also aren’t able to go hang out with friends. It has affected the way we eat — especially me with my health issues. I had to change my diet and due to everything being sold out, I can’t get everything I need to eat healthily.”

From Client C:

“This Coronavirus pandemic is stressful, because we can’t see it or touch it. The only thing I see when I turn on TV is how many people died each day or how many people are infected. This is really frustrating. I’m scared for my life at this pandemic time. I’m scared for my baby too,

but I never had this much time with my son since he was born. I’m thinking God gave us this moment to spend time together and everything happens for a reason. I found ways to relax and do healthy activities that I enjoy so I can feel stress-free and started calling family and friends to hear a familiar voice. Other than that, I don’t complain about anything and I always pray to God to give us mercy. Also, I would like to thank Community Lodgings for your physical, mental, and financial support.”

From Client D:

“While I am not a stranger to adversity, I’m finding it difficult to accept the everyday reality that this pandemic has thrust upon all of us. Without a moment’s notice, we have all been asked to turn our daily habits upside down & inside out. The next minute, the rug is being pulled out from beneath me. How am I supposed to build or plan my next move in all of this chaos? I am healthy, strong mentally & physically, I make the effort to put my best foot forward trying to keep up with life’s constant changes, and many times I fall short but I never let it stop me. I keep moving on. There is no disgrace if you need help. I appreciate all the support & assistance I received from all concerned parties which helps me to cope on a daily basis because without it, I might have made poor choices in this pandemic time.

If you would have asked me a year ago, I would have said I have been through a lot. I really believed last year was the worst year of my life and I have gone through many trials and tribulations which don’t hold a candle to this pandemic time. Hearing how so many people have suffered and lost loved ones has been crushing. While I want to complain so much about my own financial situation, how I absolutely hate being relieved of my job, feeling stripped of my right to come and go as I please, being unable to find toilet paper or cleaning supplies at the local stores, the mask we are forced to wear, it all pales in comparison to the high price of losing ones life by some invisible virus which no one knows how, when, or where it will strike. I only know that life will never be the same again. The children don’t really understand why they can’t play in the park or why school is closed, but they do know they can be in harm’s way. They miss their friends and are saddened by the fact an uncle can’t give them a hug. They are alarmed by the mention of COVID-19. They know it changed everything.”