Mission Community Services Society recognizes there are unique challenges facing all of us as we struggle through the onslaught of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

While our primary concern remains the health and safety of our clients, who are some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and the wellbeing of our staff and volunteers, we want to ensure you that we are doing everything we can to provide non-medical essential services in Mission.

In these uncertain times when we are told to “stay home” please know many of our dedicated staff and volunteers are continuing to come to work to operate Haven – the Emergency shelter, outreach services to people who are homeless and Rivendell – our supportive Housing Program.

While many of our one-on-one services and home visits to our seniors have been curtailed, we are continuing to operate Meals on Wheels, Shopping and Friendly Visitor programs.

Staff whose workloads have been reduced due to cancelled group sessions and activities are being offered redeployment opportunities into programs that desperately need the additional support at this time.

Effective Monday (March 23) our main Second Avenue office hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and we are enforcing strict social distancing measures.

We have increased our cleaning efforts as all surfaces are wiped down regularly and all clients and staff are asked to wash their hands. We will continue to review all protocols in this quickly changing environment.

Demands on our food centre have grown exponentially over the past week. If you have donations, please contact our admin office 604-826-3634 and we can arrange to collect them from you.

To my staff and to all of those who work the front lines in providing the non-medical essential services, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for following safe protocols to keep yourselves, your colleagues and your clients safe.

It is unprecedented times and we must all take care, have compassion and find patience as we continue to look after each other.

Thank you,

Michelle Puffer

Executive Director

Mission Community Services Society