5 things to do when distancing
If you're connected to Habitat, you understand the power of community action. You know how your generosity, kindness, and compassion ripple across neighborhoods and generations.
During this Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, community action looks a little different.
For some of you, it might mean continuing to work to provide critical services to our neighbors. Thank you for your work and commitment to our community.
For others, including our team at Habitat, caring for our neighbors means slowing our routines, staying home, and distancing ourselves from our friends and families. Thank you for playing your part to slow the spread of this virus. When you stay home, you're helping our healthcare workers do their jobs without getting too overwhelmed, so everyone can receive the care they need.
Since many of us suddenly have free time on our (regularly washed) hands, we compiled a list of ten things you could do while you're home.
1. Support our community. Habitat is currently working on many critical projects and initiatives throughout our region to help strengthen and boost our community's resilience: Building and renovating homes, supporting neighborhood revitalization activities, and helping families prepare to become first-time homeowners. It's clear now to many people that housing is healthcare. But this disruption to our workflow and operations will be difficult to overcome without your support.
If you planned to volunteer, visit the ReStore, or donate over the next few month, we humbly ask that you show your support with a donation now. Please help us keep building as we face this pandemic together and lessen the shock waves for local families.
For now, our construction staff is still on the build site and in need of building supplies. You can make a secure, online donation anytime at habitatcd.org/give.
You can also shop the ReStore online: habitatcd.org/restore-online
If you are in a position to, consider also supporting local organizations on the front lines, such as a local pantry or shelter.
2. Plan your springtime DIYs or get a head start now. Follow the ReStore on Facebook and Instagram as we share DIY and up-cycling resources. Get some new idea to fix up what you already own, find out how to clean an item you plan to donate, and feed your imagination for future ReStore projects!
3. Connect...at a distance. We're on board with a recent wave of folks calling for *physical* distancing, not necessarily *social* distancing. Now more than ever, we need to make extra efforts to connect with each other. Call or FaceTime your family and friends. Reflect on how you're feeling during this outbreak, and also be sure to leave time to talk about anything other than Coronavirus. Use social media to swap resources or to organize a social distance get together (aka take a walk through the park while staying six feet apart). Order something to-go (or get a gift card) from your favorite small business.
4. Practice the lost arts of rest and recreation. Read that book that's been sitting on your shelf for years. Tune in to Albany Public Library's Facebook Live reading time for kids. Go for a walk or head fee-free to a NYS Park. Check out the library's city history digital collection. Take a nap (does wonders to support your immune system). Practice a hobby (drawing, poetry, iPhone film making, coding, bird watching, etc.). Tour museums online.
Use Google maps to see before-and-afters on blocks we have built on. (Check out Delaware Street. Use the timeline in the upper right-hand corner to view progress.) Take an online class with a local yoga studio or gym.
5. Get civic. You likely received your invitation and code through the mail this week. The Census is more than just a form. It's an opportunity for civic engagement and an important tool with significant impacts on our daily lives and on funding for our work at Habitat, for education, social services and more. Click here to go to Census2020.gov. (PS Have you completed your tax return yet?)
Tell your representatives to include housing stability in the next COVID-19 stimulus package.
Beyond all else, our highest priority is the health and safety of our entire Capital District community — our team, our partner families, volunteers, supporters, and all our neighbors across NYS, the country and our world. You can see the most up-to-date and complete information on Habitat's COVID-19 web page.
This list was adapted (with permission) from Twin Cities Habitat's recent blog post to be more relevant to us here in the Capital District. Hop over here to see their post (and share with any Minnesotan friends and family!)