Announcement about COVID-19

Announcement on March 12, 2020:

Dear friends of William Way LGBT Community Center:

We're  sending this communication to let you know about the Center's plans as we respond to the current situation and potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our City and region.

In the William Way's 45 year history, we have always stood for the health and well-being of our diverse communities.  Given that we serve many people who are at particular risk for coronavirus, including seniors and people living with HIV, we are taking the following action: 

The Center will be cancelling all public events starting Friday, March 13th, 2020, through Friday, April 3rd, 2020.   After lengthy and difficult internal discussions about what is best to do, we decided that we should support the approach to reduce public gatherings at this time, to reduce the possibilities for further spread of the coronavirus. 

What does this mean?

1.  The Center's public spaces, with the exception of the limited lobby hours mentioned below,  will be closed for the next three weeks. We will revisit possibilities of reopening as more information about best practices in protecting our communities become available.

2. The Center's lobby will be open daily for holiday hours (12-5 PM) for those who may have no other safe haven during this challenging period. The lobby desk will be staffed during this period for people who may need resources or referrals.  If you are ill or have a fever or cough, we ask you not to use the Center until you are well. 

3.    The Center's peer counseling program will be closed between now and April 3rd, 2020. 

4.   All public programs will be postponed until after April 3rd, 2020. 

5.   All scheduled Your Way tours of the Center will be postponed through April 3rd, 2020.  Community Engagement Specialist Rachel Winsberg will be in communication with all Ambassadors to discuss next steps. 

6.   If you are a key-holding tenant or 12 step meeting trusted servant, you may continue to meet within the Center during the period of closure. However, we ask you to encourage participants in your programs who are 60+ or immune compromised to remain at home.  We also request that keyholders use disinfectant wipes to clean their spaces before and after use.  We encourage therapists to use zoom and other teleconferencing technologies during the period of closure if possible. 

7.  Meetings of internal and external committees of the Center, and including the March Board of Directors Meeting, will take place on Zoom Conferencing service, instead of on-site at the Center.  Facilitators of those meetings will communicate with participants about accessing the Zoom service. 

8.   If you have rented space at the Center between now and April 3rd, 2020, your event is cancelled and your deposit will be returned.  Facilities Director Avis Albaladejo will be in communication with all renters to discuss options. 

 

How can I learn more?  

  • Call us at 215-732-2220 and leave a message with voice mail, and we will call you back as quickly as possible.

  • Email us at info@waygay.org, and your message will be forwarded to the right person.

  • Message us on Facebook or Instagram, which we will be checking regularly. We will also post updates there as needed.

We also wanted to let you know what we will be doing to further address this situation: Recognizing that we are not health care professionals, we rely on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other qualified health professionals, such as local County Health Departments, as our primary source of current information and guidance. Utilizing the links below, you can access this information as well:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/environmental-health-hazards/covid-19/

Specific to our community center, we are increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting certain areas of common use including:

  • Door handles, hand plates, push or panic bars

  • Our water fountain

  • Elevator call and floor buttons

  • Access control phones and buttons

  • Shared office electronic devices such as copiers and printers

  • Dispensers that are not hands-free

  • Kitchen/Pantries: Refrigerator and cabinet handles, sink hardware, microwaves, countertops and tables.

  • Shared use facilities surfaces

  • Stair rails

We will be cleaning seven days per week. 

What can you do?

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for a minimum of twenty seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer (60-95% ethyl alcohol).

  • Avoid close contact with people with cold or flu-like symptoms.

  • Stay home and consult a healthcare provider if you are sick.

  • Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow.

  • Clean surfaces frequently, such as countertops, light switches, doorknobs, cell phones and other frequently touched areas. Most household cleansers, such as bleach wipes or alcohol will kill the virus. When in doubt, consult the CDC website.

We have provided sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizers in common areas of the Center, to the extent they were are available for us to purchase. We will continue to do so as long as these items are available.

If you have any questions, please contact Chief Operating Officer Ally Richman at arichman@waygay.org  or 215-732-2220 x 102. 

Thank you for your help and cooperation as we work through this evolving and uncertain situation.

Best regards,

Chris Bartlett
Executive Director

Chris Bartlett