Survival Redefined

Normally this month we would be talking about how many hot dogs we sold and still laughing over the long intense hours of MerleFest -- and the fact that we survived.

This year survival has a new meaning. What does it look like to sell virtual hot dogs online? Will people buy an Elvis Dog that they cannot eat, just because they care?

Survival means, we have to try.

How do we manage the loss of grants that have been a steadfast source of support for years? You dig in and start looking for new resources. Applications, reports, phone calls, government webinars take top priority. Survival means that you can only wring your hands once a day, then you get back to work and move forward with a plan. 

Last year during May survival involved sorting clothes and other items in a very hot 'Legends' building at Appalachian State, as we all worked "Don't Throw it Away" to ensure a $4000 energy efficiency grant from "The BIG Sale" that following August. 

This year in May we've set up protocol that reads something like this: 

“Hospitality House is utilizing a triage-screening tool to assist the facility and keep detailed documentation regarding clients displaying symptoms in light of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.

The triage screening tool focuses on reorganizing the intake overflow to effectively identify symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals entering and residing here. The questions on the triage-screening tool are self-reported answers except for the question regarding whether a person has a fever.

In addition to this, residents that are showing symptoms of COVID-19 are to be isolated in designated sick rooms, while staff sets up a telemed call with a medical provider."

This is what survival looks like now, with very different outcomes.

We have been in the business of changing lives for over 36 years. We have helped people survive before and we may be better equipped than many businesses to execute an emergency plan. After all, we have faced life and death as we walked beside people who faced challenging situations.

However, this May, survival doesn't look anything like last year, or all those years past. With the support of our board, a very resilient staff and a faithful donor base we are redefining what survival looks like.