As the spread of COVID-19 has reached pandemic levels, and the rate of contagion continues to increase in the U.S. and elsewhere, public life has come to a virtual standstill. Working from home, closed schools and colleges, cancelled events, and drastically reduced social contact are now a way of life. There are concerns about running out of basic supplies and food items. Salary reductions or layoffs are affecting household incomes, causing financial strain. And, of course, health worries have skyrocketed.
All these adversities have brought us face to face with a multitude of unknowns, and have decimated our well-established routines and practices, causing us to have to reinvent our lives overnight.
That is in addition to the usual stressors related to working in corrections. And as essential staff, you do not have the luxury of working from home, and the cushion of safety and self-protection that social isolation provides. You are indeed in the front lines in terms of risk.
These new realities can stoke inner tensions and apprehensions that both you and your families have regarding your health, safety, provisions, and finances.
We at Desert Waters have been pondering ways we can continue to serve you, and even ramp up our services to you, during this trying season. We want to be here for you in any way that we can during these times of being stretched to new limits and in new ways.
Regarding our activities at Desert Waters, skeleton staff are working shortened hours at DWCO’s office in Florence, CO, but we are working extended hours at our home offices.
Several training events we were part of in March and April have been cancelled or postponed to protect the health of all concerned. Events in the next several months may also be canceled or postponed, depending on the course of the COVID-19 infection transmission in the U.S.
We will notify you about any future changes through the Trainings Schedule posted on our site. Safety and good health are obviously the true bottom line.
However, all other Desert Waters’ activities and tasks continue unchanged at this time. We are very, very grateful for committed and hardy staff.
If you have needs, questions, or prayer requests during this time, email us at desertwaters@desertwaters.com. We will do our best to answer every email and offer you support in any way that we can.
We are also exploring ways of offering our trainings remotely. We want to continue to provide you with tools, resources, and encouragement to deal with the unprecedented psychological stressors related to facing a pandemic in corrections settings and in your personal lives.
We will inform you about updates by posting information on our website, Facebook page, and in the Correctional Oasis.
Most importantly, let us all do the best we know how to stay healthy and well physically, mentally, and spiritually, and to protect the health and well-being of those around us. Let us follow the medical advice and guidelines provided to us, and keep up with updates.
This is a time for accepting realities we cannot change, improving what we can, and pulling together—loving one another through difficulties and crises.
Peace, mercy, and grace to you all.
We love you, guys!
Caterina Spinaris, PhD, LPC
Executive Director
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