In case you can’t access the video, here’s Sarah’s message in a nutshell:

We’re hoping you were all able to get outside this weekend and enjoy the first hints of spring. Taking a walk on a nice, sunny day makes you feel normal again, like you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We want everyone in our community to feel that way: like they’ll come out the other side of the COVID-19 tunnel no worse for wear physically or financially. Unfortunately, many families in our community will need some help to make that happen.

Giving Tuesday, May 5th

You’ve heard of Giving Tuesday before. The national event usually falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Because of the virus, however, a second Giving Tuesday event is planned for May 5th, and we’re planning on participating. A small group of our supporters already started us off by donating $10,000, and they’re challenging you as a group to match or surpass this amount on Giving Tuesday. Because we know you care, we know you want to help our low-income families and individuals recover.

You can make a donation here anytime from now through Giving Tuesday! You can also use the link to make a pledge and send a check to our office at 1196 Ecorse Rd., Ypsilanti, MI. 48198.

Thank you for your support!

Sarah Thornburg, Executive Director

Greetings, Friends In Deed family.

First and foremost, how are you doing? This is a tough time for all of us. It is hard to be separated, and, let’s face it, this is a little scary. So, what can we do to support you? What do you need that we can help with? We have set up a “How Can We Help?” guide on our website. You can access it here: FID HelpDesk. Scroll down to see options for resources, try a keyword in the search bar, ask a question, or make a suggestion. You can also send me your question, and I will get the FID team on it right away. We are here for you.

As for our team, everyone but the Executive Director is working remotely from home. Per the Governor’s order Governor’s Order 2020-9, we are considered essential for the services that we provide to the low-income members of the community. Only I am working from the office, though, so that the rest of the staff can work remotely. The Help Line is still taking calls from people in need. And while we have suspended furniture pickup and delivery, we are still adding folks to the waiting list, so that we can meet their needs as soon as things get back to normal. The Circles program continues as well, meeting virtually on Tuesday evenings.

We consider all of you – supporters, volunteers, program participants, Board members – to be family. And like we all are concerned for our own families, we are concerned for you. Please reach out to me, and let me know how you are doing. I’m also here for you if you have any questions or concerns. My email and direct phone line are below. Know that your FID family is thinking about you and looking forward to seeing you in person, hopefully very soon.

Keep Healthy,

Sarah

Friends In Deed will be assessing the situation regarding COVID-19 on a daily basis. As of right now, our staff is working from home, but some of our programs continue.

Friends In Deed serves some of our community’s most vulnerable families. During this time of crisis, these families are even more at risk. After careful consideration of public health concerns, as well as how our response will affect the people we serve, Friends In Deed has decided to close our physical offices to the public unless they have an appointment.

Specifically:

• NEW! HelpDesk: We created a Resource Page to help you stay connected and informed about the issues that affect you during this time. You can also use it to ask questions and let us know what you need now and what you anticipate needing after the virus restrictions are lifted.
• Furniture Warehouse / Truck Pickups and Deliveries: While you can still call our Furniture Line to apply for furniture and be added to our wait list, our warehouse and truck operations are suspended as of March 24th for three weeks. We will reassess the situation regarding the virus on April 14th and give you further information at that time.
• Furniture and Direct Assistance Programs: Our help lines will remain open, but our office staff will begin working remotely starting on Friday, March 20th. Our application process for all of our services can be conducted over the phone. Copies of any documents we request (lease, paycheck stubs, etc.) can be sent to us by fax (734-484-5335) or email (Furniture@FriendsindeedMI.org or Helpline@FriendsindeedMI.org).
• Circles: Circles meetings at St. Luke’s are cancelled indefinitely, but we will continue to hold virtual meetings with Zoom on Tuesday evenings. We also encourage matched Circles to keep in contact by phone/text/online so that they don’t lose momentum. For more information on how to get and use Zoom, look to the section below.
• Volunteers: Our office is now closed to volunteers.

We’ll be assessing the situation regarding COVID-19 on a daily basis, and we will let you know if anything changes. In the meantime, keep healthy and check out CDC resources here!

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Zoom: How To Download and Use

1. Download the Zoom app from Zoom, the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store
   1. Windows and macOS: https://zoom.us/download
   2. iPhone/iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id546505307
   3. Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.zoom.videomeetings
   4. Video tutorial: How to Sign up and Download
2. Practice using the Zoom app
   1. Have one person in your Circle host a meeting, and invite the rest of the Circle.
   2. Take turns “hosting” the meeting, so that everyone knows how to do it.
   3. Video tutorial: Zoom Meeting Controls

The Date For Over The Edge Has Been Changed

Dear Family, Friends, and Fellow “Edgers” —

Once again, thank you for your interest, your time, and the investments you’ve made so far to help make our Over The Edge event something that will truly make an impact in our organization and community.

As you are well aware, we are in an unprecedented time. The spread of COVID-19 has impacted our day-to-day event planning, and I’m writing to you to share information about our most recent decision.

As of today, our Over The Edge event has been postponed and rescheduled for September 5, 2020. We have worked together with our venue and our event partners to ensure that we will have a safe and fun event.

We will keep you updated about anything you need to know about what will be changing.

Thank you so much for your continued support. We are still working (remotely and safely) to plan a successful event, and your enthusiasm is felt by those of us here.

We urge you to please stay healthy. I’m looking forward to spending time with you in the very near future, celebrating and enjoying a successful Over The Edge event.

Sincerely,

Sarah M. Thornburg
Executive Director