Salvation Army – Safety for Employees, While Helping Those in Need

Jonathan Kellman

The Salvation Army also provides shelter for a number of persons, primarily women and men who are without a roof over their heads. Even with the COVID-19 crisis, their services remain active and more so, but there are precautionary measures in place to protect not only the staff, but the people they serve.

Major Jonathan Kellman, District Commander, Salvation Army Belize

“We serve the public in a variety of ways. Let me talk about the institutions. There is the Gangs Rest Home; that’s for ladies and there is the Raymond Parks Night Shelter; that is for men. We have taken in some of the people off the streets, the men and so that shelter is still in operation. And so our staff are there working and the men are cooperating quite well and I appreciate that. We are also partnering with some other agencies that deal with shelters and the homeless, with the temporary shelter that has been opened for the homeless, MCC Grounds, so we help them with feeding and just passing by and greeting the guys cause we know them from off the streets. So it is good seeing our clients in different ways. The pantry has remained open, but for safety reasons I minimize the hours, I reduce the hours from nine to twelve. All of our employees are on the frontline and because of that, I am very concerned for them. And the clients, when they come—you who are coming to the pantry—please respect the boundaries, please respect the social distancing and we will take care of you.”