Goodwill’s CARE Program Maintains Virtual Connections

Lois Kramer, CARE Coordinator talking with participants

During the mandated closure of many of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s programs and services and stringent rules in response to COVID-19, the organization’s Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education (CARE) program found creative ways to maintain connections. The CARE team quickly realized that individuals were feeling disconnected as they spent months in mandated quarantine and came up with a host of ways to keep people engaged and able to communicate with the CARE team.

Even though only a few CARE participants are physically on site, the CARE team took advantage of technology to stay in touch with individuals. Utilizing Face Time, Zoom and Google Hangouts, CARE participants connect virtually at least once per week by phone and some for 30 minutes through the virtual outreach efforts with the CARE team. Each visit is an opportunity to check in and for participants to see the CARE facility as well as the staff team. During the “virtual visit,” there is   a different topic discussed and participants really enjoy feeling part of the CARE program again. “The visual connection is just so important – we can actually see people relax in their body posture when they see our team via technology,” said Lois Kramer, CARE Supervisor. “We want to keep our folks as engaged as possible and look forward to the time when we can welcome everyone back safely.”

The CARE program is designed to provide people with social, recreational and personal development opportunities of their choice in the larger Greater Cincinnati community. The program recently celebrated its 15th anniversary but is now serving most of its participants remotely in support of best practices in terms of health and safety.

The group is currently talking about plans for participation in the upcoming ADA30 celebration in July -remotely and following all social distancing guidelines. To find out more about the Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education, please visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/services.