Relationships in the Time of Social Distancing
March 13, 2020
As L'Arche Portland and our local communities cancel events and take precautions such as social distancing, we want to acknowledge the extraordinary collective effort we are all embarking on to keep one another safe and our health care system stable. That said, we also know the impact that social isolation can have on people's lives and the scarcity that comes with it. As we plan for the days and weeks ahead, L'Arche Portland wants to offer these ideas for remaining connected to one another, being proactive in the changing patterns of our lives, and living in a spirit of abundance:
Video & Phone Calls: We are going to be around one another less, so let's make an effort to call another more. And not just to say "hi", but to do something together. At L'Arche Portland, our dinner tables are places to connect, so we are encouraging our homes to connect with another and their friends during this time. Before or after your meal, during the time when you might pray, use the device in your pocket to call/video with someone. You might ask one another the following questions:
What was something you enjoyed today? (Rose)
What was something that was challenging today? (Thorn)
What are you looking forward to? (Bud)
Who are you thinking about? Who do you appreciate? (Intentions)
Letters & Postcards: As people will likely be spending more time at home, please consider writing letters and postcards to one another. Emails are also a wonderful way to connect.
Walks & Visiting Parks: Inviting someone to go on a walk with you or to meet at a park, especially as Spring begins to bloom, is a nice way to get outside and safely share time together.
During this time, our homes will not be physically welcoming guests, but there are many people (friends & volunteers) who will remain essential to the natural supports of our homes. Please be in touch with our homes and Community Coordinators about how to best be of support. And if you are friends with people in our homes, please make sure that you fill out our Circle of Friends survey. Your profile will be laminated and made easily accessible to the people and homes you have relationships with. This allows our homes to connect with you, no matter where you live.
