Even as we maintain social distancing during the effort to stop the spread of coronavirus, the SHA community – tenants, staff and partners – are finding ways to help each other. If you know of stories about people helping meet the needs or lift the spirits of others, let us know and we’ll share them. Email Brittney Nitta-Lee, editor of The Voice. Thanks to everyone for acts of kindness large and small throughout our SHA community.
Mother's Day at Yesler
When the Yesler Community Center canceled its annual Mother’s Day brunch because of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, SHA’s Yesler property management team went into action. They wanted to ensure that one of the traditions of the popular gathering would still take place, a “tradition that always brought smiles,” according to Fitsum Abraha, Yesler’s senior property manager. At past events, mothers and others who attended received a rose.
Donning masks and following social distance guidelines, the property team visited more than 500 households on the Friday before Mother’s Day, delivering a beautiful single rose to each one.
“We managed to re-create part of a community-wide event … in each person’s home, with smiles and even some tears from residents,” said Abraha.
Kadro, an SHA resident, was surprised to recieve a rose. "Thank you for stopping by my home to check up on me and my family. The rose was a surprise with all that’s going on, I forgot it was Mother’s day weekend. Thanks for making this community a great neighborhood," said Kadro.
Property staff also delivered a flyer which included a message of support for residents and invited them to contact SHA if they needed assistance in accessing food, unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, job leads and other resources helpful to those facing challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.