During this COVID 19 pandemic there has sadly been an escalation in instances of domestic violence. But there are resources that are available if you encounter anyone that might need support or you need support yourself.
IDEALS for Families and Communities
Mary Ortwein, MS, LMFT
859-806-4484
Available for Tele-health sessions
Local office, 306 West Main St, #514
Greenhouse 17 800-544-2022
24/7 Crisis Hotline for Survivors including Shelter
The Nest 859-813-2966
Counselors, Legal Services, Safety Planning, Support Groups
The Nest's Spanish Speaking Line 502-632-3385
Counselors, Legal Services, Safety Planning, Support Groups
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
By Brother Richard Hendrick, Capuchin Franciscan, Ireland
March 13th, 2020
Br. Richard recites Lockdown