By Sarah Schaefer & Barb Van Giessen
Published in December 2020
In the beginning of the lockdown, it was surreal. The streets were empty and our doors were closed. But the phones were going crazy because it was tax time, and since all appointments had been cancelled, people were starting to panic. We spent a good 2-3 hours every day just consoling people and letting them know that they weren’t alone, and that we were working to try to figure something out.
As the days wore into weeks, people kept coming by to pick up their mail and to ask if/when we were reopening, and to ask how to apply for CERB. We did lots of emailing back and forth to help people figure that out. A lot of people called just because they were scared and needed someone to talk to. We did lots of commiserating with folks, and just listening. Occasionally one of our “regulars” would call or come by, and it was always good to know how they were doing and to be able to connect with them.
From March to July the front desk staff were here on their own but in July we opened up to the public. This meant employment counselors coming to work in the mornings seeing people at very COVID friendly work stations, providing important face to face contact, especially for those without internet or necessary computer skills. We have been very steadily busy. Our employment counselors with Arabic and Tingrinya language skills have found their services in heavy demand.
A typical day starts around 8:30 when we come in to clean and sanitize before the public come in to the building.By 9:00 the door is unlocked and we are outside hosting the door. On any day we will answer questions about computer access, taxes, bathroom access, other service providers, as well as handing out mail and tax packages. People come for resumes, cover letters, and job searches but they also come for housing searches, to fill out forms, help with email and everything else you can imagine. By 1 pm we are closed for the day but the work goes on at the counselors’ home offices or 58 Queen Street.
