The
facility had been marking March as National Reading Months, with children book
giveaways on Saturdays, March 14 and 21, a seminar on dyslexia and other
reading issues on Saturday, March 28, and a workshop on Monday, March 23, and
Tuesday, March 31, on how churches and other organizations can build true
collaborations that maximum community impact with less effort.
Casey
Jones, Hope Center Planning Group chair, said the decision was made due to the
fast-moving expansion of the coronavirus situation and the desire to safeguard
Center users and volunteers from any unexpected outbreaks in the area.
Activities
being curtailed are expected to be worked into schedules for future
months. The Center houses drop-in,
information and referral, reading assistance for children and adults, an
education center for churches and others to learn more about needs of
individuals and families, and a developing Christian lending library. It is an outreach ministry of the Mission
Genesee Valley coalition of churches and other Christian organizations.
In
April, its focus is on abuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances, May on
mental health, and June on general prevention, particularly as it relates to
children, families and summer activities.
The
Hope Center, a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador for National Weather Center
alerts and other weather-related information on its Facebook page, also has
been posting information related to the coronavirus since the beginning of the
month. These will continue, Jones said.
He
also noted that information and referral assistance for individuals and
families will continue by contacting him at bps461@msn.com
or (484) 435-0503.
