COVID-19 disrupted life as we knew it. With state-wide shutdowns and social distancing, COVID-19 forced Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum to restructure how it served its community.  As a result of their firm determination to continue serving and making a difference in the community they serve (see the “How” details below), CWJF was selected as one of Interfaith of the Woodlands’ Hometown Heros in 2023.

HOW

CWJF serves seniors, children, and families in its community through several of its Signature and Partnered programs each year. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, CWJF was unable to visit assisted living homes and schools. With connection and outreach being at the heart of all that CWJF does, the challenge became to make a difference in their community while practicing social distancing. How could CWJF conduct their programs and ensure the programs were just as effective as they had previously been?

CWJF determined that its “heartfelt service” must go virtual!  As a result of their firm determination to continue serving and making a difference in the community they serve (see the “How” details below), CWJF was selected as one of Interfaith of the Woodlands’ Hometown Heros in 2023.

Children’s Programming

“Baxter the Bookworm” and Booksmart are the two primary children’s programs that CWJF hosts every year. However, both programs are performance-based and interactive. Typically, CWJF visits local schools, performs a play or reads a book to classrooms of children, and provides snacks and crafts. However, with social distancing and restrictions, that was not possible. With a passion for serving its local youth, CWJF found a socially-distanced solution for this problem!

CWJF members decided they would film the “Baxter the Bookworm” reading and send the recording with crafts to participating schools. Additionally, members filmed the Booksmart performance and sent the recording, books, and trading cards for each of the characters to participating schools.

Programming for Seniors

Seniors are another primary demographic for CWJF service and outreach, but were also immuno-compromised and at risk of contracting COVID-19. Therefore, assisted living homes limited visitors during COVID. These restrictions forced CWJF to postpone its monthly Forum Friends events. That was disappointing for members and seniors alike, as CWJF touches the lives of over 500 seniors a month with bingo, lunch, entertainment, and fellowship. Given the value of this program, CWJF still wanted to find a way to serve local seniors.

Members met at the CWJF office on Tuesdays for a day of “Kindness Crafts.” For the safety of our own members and to maintain minimum risk of COVID exposure there were never more than 10 people in the office at a time and social distancing rules were enforced. 

On “Kindness Craft” Tuesdays, members made and sent greeting cards, bookmarks, and rock art to local seniors, so they could feel a sense of fellowship, even in isolation. 

CWJF volunteers also collaborated with the Montgomery County Food Bank. Members were able to continue to volunteer at the food bank the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, packing food into boxes to be distributed to families. Given that members were handling food, the food bank required temperature checks upon entry, regular hand washing, masks, and gloves. 

CWJF also joined forces with Meals on Wheels to prepare homemade seasonal treats and meal bags (breakfast and lunch) for seniors in assisted living homes. The breakfast bags included items like raisins, oatmeal, peanut butter crackers, and more. Volunteers met the fourth Monday of every month, also known as “Blue Army Monday”, to help in the kitchen and prepare meal bags. This partnership was new for CWJF, but it led to volunteers assisting in packing 600 meal bags on a regular basis for the program.

Additionally, some members sorted clothes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Interfaith’s Hand Me Up Shop, a local resale store. Members were required to wear masks and gloves.

2020 was a frightening, isolating time for many. Therefore, there was never been a greater need for service and community outreach and CWJF stepped up in a meaningful and rewarding way.