L’emergenza Covid-19 negli Stati Uniti: una lettera da Emmaus House

È passato un anno da quando è iniziato il progetto sociale con le donne di Emmaus House, in Michigan, negli Stati Uniti, dove una Casa accoglie e si prende cura di donne con un passato difficile, appena uscite dal carcere o da centri di riabilitazione, che hanno bisogno di essere guidate e accompagnate verso l’autonomia.

Anche le donne di Emmaus House stanno affrontando l’emergenza sanitaria e la loro responsabile Joan Douglas, ci hanno scritto una lettera, un paio di settimane fa, nella quale ci racconta come il Coronavirus ha cambiato la loro routine. 

In pochi giorni la situazione è precipitata: cinque di loro non ce l’hanno fatta. Hanno abbandonato la Casa e sono tornate a vivere per strada. Non ricadere nella dipendenza è ancora più difficile quando perdi il lavoro e quando il distanziamento sociale ci impedisce di condividere le nostre paure, di stare in un gruppo, di comunicare e di abbracciarsi. Piccoli gesti che sono fondamentali per chi ha bisogno di sostegno.

Il senso di solitudine è davvero difficile da affrontare ma noi, grazie all’aiuto di tanti donatori, ci siamo, per sostenere chi è rimasto, per chi ritornerà nonostante la ricaduta e per tutte le donne che busseranno alla loro porta. 

Questa la lettera ricevuta da Emmaus House:

Dear Friends,

"The two were going to a village names Emmaus...and Jesus drew near and walked with them." - Luke 24:13-1

This concept of "walking together" is the foundation Emmaus House was built upon. Sr. Marietta believed our guests needed to live in communities of support, of sisterhood, of attending and participating in group meetings, counseling sessions, and attending church/ mass services, in order to win the battle with addiction and live positive, productive lives.

We have followed this model, refined it, searched for ways to efficiently allow for more positive group experiences, including monthly outings or "field trips." We have visited Dow Gardens, attended Loons
Baseball games, gone on picnics, participated in sobriety walks and festivals, and tested our skills at the bowling alley. These events brought laughter and a time to have fun and feel unburdened.

Since the Coronavirus has struck the United States and Michigan, we, in Saginaw County, have been hit hard with 369 Covid-19 cases diagnosed and 24 deaths. At Emmaus, we have followed the Governor's Executive Order to "Stay home, stay safe." All meetings and Christian services have been cancelled. The guests meet together daily with Executive Director, Donna Clarke, to share their concerns and frustrations, but the daily routine to which they were accustomed, has ground to a halt.

We are fortunate to have a food supply delivered bi-weekly through Hidden Harvest; however, our program a (501(c) 3) relies solely upon donations and grants. From March 13, when the Governor's order went into place through today's date, our donations have dropped by 42%. Churches are not in session, one of our most faithful resources. Individual donors are facing unemployment, reduced wages, and small business owners face closure or have shut down. During the week of March 13, 129.000 Michigan residents filed for unemployment.

In the last week at Emmaus, we have lost 5 guests who have returned to the streets, and we grieve this terrible loss. We pray that they will find their way to treatment and, then, will reach out to us to return.
We continue to pray for guidance. We wash our hands and deep clean our homes; we practice social distancing. And, we hope for a better tomorrow.

We are so grateful for your kind and generous support. Next week, MaryKay and MaryLynn from the UMBRAGROUP are bringing supplies and lunch to our guests. This lifts spirits.
And, we pray for everyone around the world to have faith and believe a better time lies ahead.

Gratefully,
Joan Douglas

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  - John 14:27

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