COVID-19 Impact: Escalating Client Needs
When COVID-19 hit and shelter-at-home orders began on March 24 in Kansas City, MO, we knew our low-income and already vulnerable neighbors would soon find themselves in even more desperate circumstances. That time is now.
COVID-19 has gone from what seemed at first like an inconvenience, to a life-altering challenge for our neighbors, and you can see it in the numbers: from June 1 to July 25, we have seen a 56% increase in new clients seeking social services, a 156% increase in utilities assistance, and a 114% increase in rent assistance.
All this month on our blog, we are sharing the impact COVID-19 is having on our neighbors. Last week, we explored how COVID-19 is leading to an increase in evictions and housing instability for more and more families in Kansas City.
Today, we are turning our attention to the frontlines and interviewing Kimberly Henderson (MSOD), Client Care Supervisor here at RS, who works alongside her team day in and out to help our neighbors gain stability, fight poverty, and reach their goals.
If you find it on your heart to support the life-saving work that Kimberly and her team do, please consider making a donation to Reconciliation Services. For as little as $25 a month, you can help families in Kansas City get the resources and support they need to make it through these difficult times. Thank you.
How have you seen client needs & attitudes evolve over the course of COVID-19 and the shelter at home order?
Kimberly: At the beginning, many of our neighbors believed this would be an ephemeral situation. They considered COVID-19 to be more like the common cold than a life-altering virus that could debilitate or kill. Most of those clients have since changed their opinion of what sacrifices they will be required to make (i.e. not physically communing with family, not hugging or holding events).
In addition, there were the neighbors who, from the outset, realized the severity of the situation and planned accordingly. These individuals are adjusting well to the extenuating circumstances and are not panicking.
It is almost unanimous that this is a tiring situation and most are over it and ready to move on to finding a new normal that does not involve isolation but cautious social interaction.
What are clients doing to make it by during these difficult times that may be different than any other season before COVID-19?
Kimberly: Most of our neighbors, the ones that I have been fortunate enough to serve at least, are surviving via constant phone communication, binging television, radio, and episodic errands for necessities and fresh air. Pre-COVID, most of these same neighbors might meet up weekly with friends and family, venture out more for trivial purchases or window shopping, and just enjoying more personal freedom.
The most dramatic changes I have seen are for our neighbors who depend on public transportation and are slowed down due to the irregularity of bus schedules and the social distancing parameters. Also, for our most vulnerable neighbors, I feel there is more suicidal ideation and morbid depression as individuals are forced to isolate, unable to interact physically with their support systems.
How're clients planning for the rest of the year given that things may get worse before they get better?
Kimberly: This is an area that most of our neighbors have not been processing or articulating. I believe it is due to a sincere hope that things will get better soon. I know this is wishful thinking, but for some wishful thinking is all they have to cling to.
Thank you, Kimberly, for the work you do to support and advocate for our neighbors in need.
If you find yourself in a position to give during these difficult times, please consider making a donation to Reconciliation Services of just $25 a month. We can make it through this if we stick together and support one another (especially those who are most vulnerable.) Thank you.