21 May Looking Ahead

Dear Friends,

I hope this note finds you well in these continually challenging times in our community.

Over the past three months, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to make substantial and sometimes difficult changes to our day to day operations at FCS.

We were saddened to have to close the community center and our Thrift Shop but this was the safe and responsible thing to do. These decisions were made specifically to allow our COVID-19 response to be rapid and meaningful while allowing us to still provide essential services.

A Heartfelt Thanks

The virus has touched nearly everyone we know in one way or another.

But your show of support during these challenging times has been heartening

So many of you have reached out, offering words of encouragement, dropping off critical emergency supplies and making donations. We are able to continue our mission of helping our neighbors, because of your support. Thank you. It means a lot.

Those who are impacted as they face health concerns and others who are seeking help for the first time are able to get help with needed food to feed their families, emergency assistance, help with fuel, and referrals to needed resources and services.

Thinking Ahead and Planning for the Future

As we enter the tenth week of what has become our new normal, we continue to work, some at FCS and some remotely. We have been able to keep much of our day-to-day business going, but from a distance. Through phone calls, Zoom meetings and email, we continue to be as accessible as we can to help serve.

Like you, we have learned about not only about the incredible challenges that our neighbors are facing but have also heard about the innovative ways that people are connecting-by distancing. Technology and resourcefulness have helped us all.

As communities across the U.S. start to look toward recovery and a return to “normal,” businesses and organizations are at a crossroads: what will the new normal be in the wake of COVID-19? While so much about the future remains uncertain, it is clear the impacts of this global crisis will last long after schools and businesses reopen. We will all have to embrace this sharpened awareness, and using the lessons learned from this crisis to inform a safe, and sustainable, path forward. Normal will not, should not, be the same again.

Remaining optimistic

There are, however, reasons to remain optimistic, including the clarity of purpose that this crisis has brought. Collectively, the way we see the world has changed. Hopefully, we are more empathetic. Undeniably, we have a sharper, more palpable understanding of the degree to which all our wellbeing is bound together.

We know that face masks are now considered an essential way to keep others safe. We know that many businesses have been creative in ensuring a 6’ distance among customers. These are important considerations and we intend to follow the CDC recommendations as we look to what the next normal will look like for FCS as we embark upon the road to reopening.

As we move forward with our plans, we will continue to update you regularly. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to staff if you have ideas, suggestions or to share questions you have about what else FCS should be doing or your thoughts about our reopening. Feel free to contact us at 865-3985 and we’ll connect you to a staff member to share your thoughts.

In the meantime, we remain committed to the communities we serve. If you need assistance for essential services contact Sarah Lundin, Director of Programs at 865-3985 x 205 or slundin@fcsmaine.org

You can also keep up to date on our website and Facebook page.

As we stated a number of weeks ago, please stay healthy and safe.  We are keeping all of you in our thoughts.

Paula Paladino, M.A.
Executive Director