COVID-19 Impact on the Avary Community: A Message from Dr. Mimi
COVID-19 has impacted all of us in profound ways. Today, I'm here to talk about how it has impacted the Avary community:
Project Avary works with children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in the unenviable position of having a loved one in prison. Losing a caregiver to incarceration puts families on a downward spiral to flounder in poverty and food, home and rent insecurity. This high stress living requires incredible coping strategies, the likes of which none of us can imagine. Toxic stress can lead to “accelerated aging,” a phrase first coined by Camara Phyllis Jones, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., who studied the social determinants of health including the toxic effects of inequity and racism.
Now, inject COVID-19 into this vulnerable and fragile population. Families are suffering. They're isolated and alone as school closures have forced them to cram into their homes and small apartments all day without any breaks from the stress of their environment and without access to positive human connections they deeply need. Many caregivers have lost their jobs. Many do not have enough food or essential supplies such as toilet paper and masks.
Always, but especially now, Project Avary is a lifeline for these families. During this time of quarantine, we organize weekly online “Adventure Zooms” for age-matched children and teens so they can connect with their Avary Family to have fun, play games, share laughter, and to create space for both their struggles and joys. Advocates reach out to caregivers for ongoing case-management and caregiver support to help with food and essential supplies and to brainstorm creative solutions for meeting their households' needs. 50% of the Avary children have Avary mentors who are reaching out several times each week to offer 1:1 guidance, love and connection. We've also just begun to gather for CDC and County/State-guided day camps with outdoor adventure activities. Small pods of children and adults are finally able to (all with masks on) come together to participate in the important Avary summertime gatherings, providing our youth with much needed social connection and support.
As a pediatrician, a mother, and a grandmother, I know that one relationship can save a soul. Please dig deep and help in whatever way you can.
Stay healthy. Wear a face mask. Stay at least 6 feet apart from others. And, as we chant at camp, “Wash yo’ hands, wash ‘em.“
With Avary Love and Appreciation,
Dr. Mimi
Michelle Pepitone, M.D.