Supporters & Friends, we’ve entered into a time in world history that will transform not just us – but nations, as well. COVID-19 has moved quickly, and we here at The Center for Discovery met its virulence with swift action to protect our entire TCFD community of students, residents, and staff. We proved we are #TCFDStrong.
At the same time, our leadership team continued to reach out and build unprecedented relationships with agencies and powerbrokers on the federal and state levels.
Here are some of this month’s highlights and updates at this critical time:
An Update on COVID-19
As the Coronavirus continues to spread north through New York State, The Center for Discovery is over one month into our COVID-19 pandemic plan.
The Center continues to carefully monitor the situation with NYSDOH, CDC, and the WHO and is consistently updating our procedures to reflect an ever-changing environment.
Day students are to remain at home with their families and caregivers and will soon get back to classroom learning via an online platform created by our amazingly dedicated teachers. Additionally, we have been providing our families with fabulous nutritional and clinical tips via our website.
The Center remains healthy and strong. Early on, we made the very difficult decision to close residential homes to visitors and additionally, to stop day visits by our residents outside of their homes. Everyone working in our residences are required to wear a surgical mask and follow stringent guidelines in regard to handwashing and the continuous wipe-down of heavily touched areas like light switches, doorknobs, and surfaces. Our nursing staff is required to wear full personal protection equipment (PPEs) including masks, eye protection, gloves and gowns.
We remain consistently connected with state and federal officials as they monitor the situation in our county, country, and world. The health and well-being of the residents we care for, as well as our staff, is our number one priority.
Your Support is Needed Now, More Than Ever
As we navigate through these uncertain times, The Center for Discovery community has come to epitomize the power of a passionate, tireless community. We have come together as one.
While we understand fully, the financial, and of course emotional strain this pandemic may have caused you, your family, and your friends, we ask simply that you keep us in mind, as your support is needed now, more than ever.
Any gift, regardless of its size, will allow us to continue to provide the highest quality of care and programs to those who rely on us most, in good times and bad.
TCFD’s Unwavering Commitment to Healthy Living and Eating
During this pandemic, our Department of Nourishment Arts® (DNA) has been ensuring proper immune strengthening and nutrition for our residents and staff. Concerns over the airborne nature of COVID-19 also has our DNA team doubling down and putting in place the most stringent hygiene and sanitation protocols.
Jennifer Franck, Assistant Chief of the Department of Nourishment Arts, said, “I am so proud of our dedicated DNA staff. Across the board, everyone without hesitation has jumped in to do whatever is needed to continue providing high quality meals for our residents and staff. They along with the rest of the staff at The Center are truly inspiring with their commitment to our residents despite these very tough circumstances.”
Earlier on in the month, our DNA dream team stood together for one moment so we could recognize them on Registered Dietician/Nutritionist Day on March 11th.
We are #TCFDStrong!
At TCFD we consider ourselves a family. Never has that been more obvious than during this pandemic.
As everyone at The Center prepared and trained for our new worldwide reality, several members of our family went the extra mile to remind everyone how to stay healthy when the world was turned upside down. They produced a #TCFDStrong video and if you haven’t seen it on our social media channels, we urge you to take a look – it will surely brighten your day! https://bit.ly/TCFDFamily.
Of all of our TCFD family, Chief of Education, Curriculum Design and Coordination, Kerri Muzuruk, commented, “I am continually impressed by the compassion and care our staff demonstrate. Despite their own challenging circumstances at home, every staff member has come to work with enthusiasm, a plan to keep the student engagement to our typical standard, and has made an extra effort to be sure our students and adults do not feel the stress that they themselves are likely feeling. The creativity, collaboration across all disciplines and consistent above and beyond efforts to keep everyone safe and happy is literally the reason I work at The Center for Discovery. I am so grateful for every single department, without all of us this could not happen.”
All of us together – our families, supporters, staff – we are #TCFDStrong.
Dinosaurs Unite for Smiles and Laughs around The Center
Our staff spares nothing when it comes to entertaining and educating our students and residents. Dinosaur suits and lots of giggles!
Save the New Date: Evening of Discovery Gala
As you may have seen, we are moving the date of the Evening of Discovery, which had been scheduled for April 29th, 2020. The health and well-being of our guests and everyone in our community is paramount. The new date for the event, A Lifetime of Dignity: Celebrating Bob Wright, will be Tuesday, September 15th, 2020. If you would like to learn more about the event, please visit our event webpage.