Dear INMED Families:
To protect our children and families, the INMED Family & Youth Opportunity Center is following the recommendation of Loudoun County Public Schools to CLOSE until schools reopen.
We understand you may be especially hard hit by the containment measures associated with combating the Coronavirus. So, although our center is closed, our staff is working diligently to make sure you and your family are supported during this challenging time.Whether it’s accessing resources for your children to attend school remotely while Loudoun County Public Schools are closed or linking you to job placement services if you’re a laid-off hourly worker or helping your family with groceries, INMED’s Family & Youth Opportunity Center is here for you.
Contact us at 703-729-4951 or rtobar@inmed.org for more information on resources available to you, and let us know other ways we can help. You can also keep up to date with the latest information on the CoronaVirus by visiting https://www.loudoun.gov/5307/Coronavirus?AID=Get-the-latest-information-on-COVID19-
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOOD
INMED Healthy Families Loudoun: Food Security Resource List in English and Spanish
Food Delivery: LCPS has its school buses delivering breakfast and lunches!
Food Resources in Loudoun County: Flyer in English and Spanish
Interactive Map for Residents to find grocery stores and pharmacies with designated hours for vulnerable individuals: Loudoun.gov/grocery
Mobile HOPE: LISTEN FOR THE HONK! Food, hygiene items and diapers delivered by the MOBILE HOPE Bus.
Mobile HOPE Bus in Sterling Wednesday’s at:
Acclaim at Sterling – Bus 2:00 to 2:30 pm (46910 Shady Point Sq)
Big Lots – Bus 2:45 to 3:15 pm
Sugarland Elementary School – Bus 3:30 to 4:00 pm
INMED Opportunity Center 21630 Ridgetop Circle – Bus 4:15 – 4:45 pm
Mobile HOPE Bus in Leesburg Wednesday’s at:
The Fields Apartments – Bus 10:00 to 10:30 am
Manor Apartments – Bus 10:45 to 11:15 am
Clubhouse Leasing Office 11:30 pm to 12:00 pm
Food at Loudoun Sheriff’s Department: Eastern Substation located 46620 E. Fredrick Dr, Sterling VA 703-777-0445. Donated by Loudoun Hunger Relief. The food is separated into bags that last couple of days for a single person. Each bag has pasta, sauce, rice, beans, peanut butter, and canned vegetables. If you know of anyone impacted by the COVID-19 disaster and can use some help, please send them to the Eastern Loudoun Station.
Loudoun Hunger Relief: 703-777-5911 Call for an appointment.
Loudoun County Services
Loudoun County Government Resources in Spanish: YouTube Video, Spanish Resources
Loudoun County Public Schools Updates: https://www.lcps.org Facebook: @LCPSofficial
LCPS COVID FAQ’s: https://www.lcps.org/Page/227558
Loudoun County Public Library: https://library.loudoun.gov/
Loudoun County Public Libraries may be closed, but the Internet is not! LCPL offers online access to hundreds of ebooks, audio books, films, games and more that your kids can browse right on a smartphone. Visit https://library.loudoun.gov/online or @LoudounCountyPublicLibrary on Facebook. Adult supervision advised.
Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging: To receive assistance from a case manager or an aging program specialist, please send an email to aaasupport@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0257.
Department of Family Services Information and Referral Services: The HHS I&R program can provide information and offer referrals for human service-related assistance. 703-777-0420
Emergency Mental Health Services: For mental health needs please call 703-777-0320 or Same Day Access Program at 703-771-5155
Technology
LCPS Free Mobile Hotspots Grades 3-12: Families and staff will need to formally request a device via the described process. To request a device, families/staff must: Complete the online form or Call the LCPS Technology Support Center at 571-252-2112 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
COMCAST: Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, new Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service. Apply here…
COMCAST: is offering the Essentials internet package for free for 60 days https://www.internetessentials.com/
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint have removed data limits for cellular data customers
https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html
https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response
https://newsroom.sprint.com/covid-19-updates-sprint-responds.htm
Verizon offers unlimited data on hotspots and cell phones
ZOOM: Free Basic Video Conferencing Software
Other Resources
Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Whitehouse.gov: 15 days to slow the spread
Virginia Department of Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019 For Coronavirus specific questions call 703-737-8300
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter: LAWS staff will telework rather than provide in-person services. Please call 703-777-6552 to receive services by phone. These services include safety planning, advocacy, counseling, legal consults, legal intakes, etc.
Women Giving Back:
FREE FOOD DRIVE THRU
COMIDA GRATIS DESDE AUTOSERVICIO
EVERY SATURDAY | TODOS LOS SABADOS
9 AM TO 11 AM
20 EXPORT DRIVE, STERLING, VA
No referrals needed | No necesita referencia
Small Group private shoppers (12 max) as well as private emergency individual appointments are still available.
Bag-to Go Program is still available for one-time emergency needs.
Cancelled – Store Days and Prom Boutique Days.
Kid Activity Apps: Kids and quarantine are typically not a good match. Keep your kids active during the coronavirus pandemic with the best activity apps for kids recommended by UNICEF. Visit https://www.unicefkidpower.org/best-apps-for-keeping-kids-active.
COVID-19 AVOIDANCE/CONTAINMENT GUIDELINES
- Practice prudence and social-distancing by avoiding large crowds, gatherings of more than a few people, and person-to-person contact closer than 6 ft.
- WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY and thoroughly clean hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water;
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue, throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth;
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough;
- If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
- When in doubt, stay home.
HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE
Wash your hands! It’s fun! Print Recipe
If you’re running low on soap but can’t find any at the stores, have some good clean fun making your own soap with your kids. It’s a favorite activity of our after-school program at the Opportunity Center.
You’ll need:
- Plastic soap molds or plastic cups
- Vegetable cooking spray or petroleum jelly
- Pure glycerin soap (sold in blocks or cubes at craft stores)
- Microwave-safe measuring cup
- Red, yellow, and blue soap dyes (found at craft stores)
- Small plastic animals or trinkets (optional)
- A chopstick or popsicle stick
Directions:
- Spray the interior of the plastic molds with a small amount of cooking spray. Make sure to cover all areas. If you use too much spray, wipe away the excess
with a paper towel. Likewise, if you are using petroleum jelly, use just enough to lightly cover the mold. - Melt small amounts of glycerin soap. Have your child place cubes of soap in the measuring cup. Put the cup in the microwave and set on high for 30 seconds. If some solid soap still remains, microwave in 10-second intervals until it is melted but not boiling.
- Remove the melted soap from the microwave. An adult should do this, because the soap will be very hot.
- Have your child add a drop or two of the liquid soap dye to the melted soap stir mixture with a chopstick or Popsicle stick.
- Carefully pour the hot soap into the molds or cups about a third of the way to the top. Let the soap cool for about 20 minutes, then have your child place a plastic animal or trinket into the semi-hardened soap.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 to melt and color the remaining soap. Pour a second layer of soap into the mold, covering the plastic animal or trinket. Let it cool and harden for at least 2 hours. Once it’s cool, turn the mold upside down and pop the soap out.
You won’t need to remind your kids to wash their hands with this fun soap!
