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May 7, 2020The residents at The Center of Family Love in Okarche have turned a less-than-desirable situation the past few months into an opportunity to shine.
The filter shop at the CFL employs 23 residents, and through the State Use Program, is contracted with the state to provide air filters for all state agencies.
Despite the closure of the filter shop, residents have been able to continue to work safely, even embracing the changes that have come along with their new normal way of life.
Because it is so important to the mission of the CFL to provide residents with continued opportunities to work, succeed and take pride in their accomplishments, filter production didn't miss a beat.
As the first step in the process, the CFL committed to helping residents understand the severity of COVID-19, the importance of social distancing and how to take additional measures to protect themselves and others around them.
With the assistance of Vocational Director Stefanie Cotton, residents quickly transitioned to a “work from home” environment, allowing them to continue earning a paycheck while maintaining a six-foot distance from fellow residents.
Each morning, Cotton picks up supplies from the filter shop and delivers them to residents in the group homes and intermediate care facility. She explained how the closure has allowed residents who have worked in the filter shop to teach the ones who have not, calling it a great team effort all the way around.
“Residents at the intermediate care facility have really come out of their shells and they are shining,” Cotton said. “It's really exciting to see!”
Friendly competitions between the buildings at CFL and the other filter shops located in Kingfisher and El Reno have created a teamwork mindset among the residents. According to Executive Director Debbie Espinosa, other residents who can no longer work have pitched in to help with production.
“We have been able to meet the demands more quickly than we did before, so we are working ahead of schedule for our monthly clients,” she said.
In addition to making filters, a few residents continue to work in Kristy Lyn’s Flowers & Gifts, watering plants and preparing flowers for Mother’s Day deliveries.
Center staff continue to keep residents actively engaged and participating in activities in small groups, including exercise, horticulture and culinary arts. Residents grow their own herbs and vegetables and learn how to cook with them.
“I am amazed at how much we've been able to do with our residents while keeping them safe in their homes,” she said. “We never lost momentum! From day one we allowed our residents to continue working, even though that looks different. We are still giving them a purpose.”
Sally Linhart is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
