March 21, 2022 | Stories
In early January, temperatures dipped to low digits while COVID-19 rates surged, which created limited housing options for homeless individuals who tested positive. To provide a space for unhoused individuals with COVID, HumanKind Ministries opened a dedicated COVID-19 Isolation Shelter near Wichita’s urban core.
Many unforeseen costs came from opening the new program, hindering HumanKind from accomplishing their work. In response to this urgent need, the WF Emergency Fund mobilized $10,000 to support HumanKind’s operation of the isolation facility.
“The shelter was staffed 24/7 for an entire month,” said HumanKind President and CEO LaTasha St. Arnault. “We served 67 men and women during this time, each of whom was able to isolate for 10 days with three meals provided every day. Thank you to WF for this gift which helped us protect both our own clients and the wider community.”
The Isolation Shelter continues to aid the homeless community, lessening the spread of COVID-19 downtown. Since the announcement of our gift, the CARES Act Funding from the City of Wichita allocated up to $50,000 to HumanKind’s Isolation Shelter.
“One of our responsibilities is to support local nonprofits working to address needs in our community,” said WF’s Director of Nonprofit and Donor Connections James Woods. “By providing an emergency gift for the Isolation Shelter, it allowed HumanKind to focus on their mission of serving our homeless community.”
