Dear Friends of Esperança,

As in other cases when concerning world events are swirling around us, I feel compelled to reach out to all our stakeholders including donors, partners, community members, staff, volunteers and others who support Esperança in making our work possible. First, I want to say that I hope you and your families are safe and well and will continue to be in the coming months.

The safety and well-being of our stakeholders are of the highest importance to us. In response to growing concerns surrounding COVID-19, Esperança is closely monitoring the situation and taking proactive steps to mitigate its impact. We have developed a response plan as follows:

1. We are closely monitoring recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) and the City of Phoenix.

2. We have suspended all programs in the Phoenix community until further notice, including the annual Mother's Day Celebration. We will make every effort to continue services to our Phoenix communities and partners virtually.

3. We are in regular communication with all of our international partners as they adapt to the unique conditions and mandates of their countries, and stand ready to support them in any way needed.

4. We have cancelled all international surgical missions through June 30th and a program re-evaluation will take place at that time.

5. All our staff have the capacity and technological support to work from home, so we do not anticipate any disruption in our day to day business operations.

Upcoming Events:
Currently, Esperança has postponed Shipment Day (previously scheduled on April 4th) in an effort to practice social distancing. Planning is underway to convert the 10th Annual Hope Breakfast to a virtual event, and we look forward to creatively and tactfully bringing our community together for an hour of hope.  As we continue to monitor COVID-19 related updates and recommendations from federal and state public health authorities, we will make necessary and timely decisions based on updated information.

Staffing, Volunteering and Interning at Esperança offices:
Everyone’s health is a priority. To that end, volunteer activity had been limited to the bare essentials, and interns are working remotely.

Things you can do to stay healthy and help prevent spread:
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing and/or sneezing.
• Avoid handshakes and/or hugs.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched items and surfaces such as your keypad, phone, etc.
• Stay at home if you are sick. Restrict activities outside your home, with exception for seeking medical care.

We will continue to monitor the situation and send updates as needed. Thank you for your flexibility, patience, and continued support. Those that we serve in Phoenix and around the world need us now more than ever!

Warm regards,

Jeri Royce, President & CEO