India Santos
Housing Administrator
Tammie Forbes
Social Service Coordinator
Elizabeth Hernandez
Administrative Assistant
Clark Armstrong
Superintendent
908-405-7935
(for emergency use only)
Desmond Green
Building Services Associate
Security Desk 908-791-9373
M-F 4pm - 8am; Sat-Sun, 24hrs
Covenant Place
623 East Front Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060
908-791-9430 (p)
908-791-9431 (f)
UMCommunities.org/CovenantPlace
© 2020 United Methodist Communities
Easter
Easter, also called Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday
commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. This year Easter is
celebrated on April 12th. Many people celebrate Easter Sunday by
going to church, having family gatherings with festive family
meals, decorating Easter eggs and giving gifts.
Passover Passover is a festival of freedom. It commemorates the
Israelites’ transition to freedom from slavery. This year
Passover is celebrated April 8th –16th. There are many rituals
that take place during Passover. The main ritual is the seder.
The seder is a festive meal that includes ritual foods
and the telling of the Exodus through stories and songs.
April 2020
Page 1
Covenant
Bulletin
Administrator’s Corner By India Santos
Good Day Residents:
I hope you all are doing well. Under normal circumstances we would be preparing to
undergo our bi-annual apartment inspection this month, however, due to COVID-19, we
will continue to take necessary precautions and skip inspecting your apartment until
further notice.
I’ve noticed residents wearing masks when traveling in the common area. I support this.
Unfortunately, management has not distributed masks, because we do not have enough
masks for everyone at this time. If you already have a mask, I encourage you to wear it
when traveling in the common areas of the building.
I would like to reiterate how thankful I am for your cooperation during this time. I know
some of you may be struggling with being semi-isolated from the public, but please keep
the Faith and keep in mind this is all temporary. So hang in there!
My team and I will continue to do our best with keeping the building sanitized and you ,
engaged. I kindly ask that you help us by sharing information as it is received with your
family/ friends. Visitation Restriction plays a BIG role in keeping our building safe and
our residents healthy. Stay Blessed!
Page 2
Poem
Better Days Ahead by - Erika Fole
Sometimes life's a bummer
it gives us troubles too
it's just because when days are
great
we want to know they're true
Often stretches seem so long
no better in between
that's when it seems too tough to
bear nothing could be foreseen
Keep the faith, hope is strong
without it we are done
better days will be coming soon
and then you will have won
keep the faith; think positive
Page 3
Social Service Coordinator Chat By Tammie Forbes
Hello Covenant Place Residents and Happy April!
The current time calls for us to be very cautious. I want to encourage you all to stay safe. You are the
most vulnerable population with the current state of our country. Be sure to wash your hands and
sanitize regularly. I will continue to “connect to check” on each of you, simply to ensure you are doing
well and make myself available, if you need me. I have simple creative activities for you to do in your
apartments; if you get bored and we also have a minimart set up with essentials that you may need. If
you’re interested in either one or both, please call me. Remember office staff is available, if you need
anything. At the current time, Security is on duty 24-hours.
Security Desk (908) 791– 9373
Superintendent (908) 405-7935 EMERGENCY ONLY
April 1st is National Walking Day so I want us all as a community to do a little walking, in our
apartments of course! Make a path in your apartment and be sure to walk this path a few times on this
day.
You all should have received packets on how to do home workouts from our fitness instructor
Alberto from Gym Guyz. I would like everyone to do these home workouts as much as you like. The
best thing you all can do is stay active while in your apartments. If you need a packet please let me
know.
We know you guys really enjoyed the coffee and donuts door dash that we did for you. With that being
said we are going to continue to do different door dashes this month so be on the lookout for us.
National Volunteer Week is April 19th-25th. I would like to thank all of my volunteers for all
that you do: Dorothy M., Norma T., Carolyn P., Eva S., Rose D., and Nurse Shippey. You help out a
great deal and we appreciate you.
April 27th is National tell a story day. I want you all to think of stor ies that you may
want to tell. And tell them to me when I call you on that day. If you would like to write the stories
down please let me know if you need paper.
Lastly, we are starting a friendly call system. This is where you will receive or make calls a couple
times a week with someone in another UMC building. Please let me know if you would like to
participate.
Happy Birthday to Filiber to A., Amal B., Selena B., Dorothy C., Emma C., Betty C., Wesley D.,
Yvonne M., & Florence S.
Hope you all have a great month.
A letter from VP of Housing & Community Initiatives
Page 4
Dear Resident:
This is a very unusual and difficult time in our lives. During my lifetime, we've en-
dured challenges such a, Super Storm Sandy, the financial recession of 2008, Swine
Flu, Bird Flu and other disasters. In your lifetime, there may have been even greater
and more difficult times. This too shall pass....
Please help me in recognizing and thanking the staff here at your building who are
staying on duty to be here for you should the need arise. And I thank you, our
residents, for calmly following the directives and new restrictions put into place to
keep you safe.
Now is the time to spread kindness and to be patient and to reflect on others who
live in this kind of uncertain, scary world all the time. Thankfully, here in the U.S.,
we have the resources to meet these challenges and we will get through. As we
approach the very sacred time of Easter and Passover, may each of you receive the
comfort and Blessing that you need to sustain you through this challenging time.
From,
Cindy Jacques, VP Housing & Community Initiatives
Page 5
Maintenance Memo
At this present time no work orders are being performed unless there is an emergency. The
maintenance staff is working hard to keep the building safe and clean for everyone. You are
encouraged to still call the office staff to have work orders put in. When work orders resume
they will be performed in the order that they were received.
C O N G R E G A T E S E R V I C E S
We are now able to add people onto The Congregate Program for housekeeping services and
Personal Care. If you would like to be added please see the Social Service Coordinator, Tammie
Forbes.
A Message from the UMC Foundation
United Methodist Communities’ associates have been true superheroes during this COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to serve our residents with the creativity, compassion, and dedication our seniors deserve. The Foundation is focused on doing all we can to support them during this unprecedented challenge. With the support of our donors, we are providing donations, technology and other positive messages where we can to help associates and residents, and a special appeal is underway to fund an appreciation bonus for all staff serving in our communities.
You or your families can help with this fund by going to the Foundation's webpage:
https://foundation.umcommunities.org/
Together, we are #UNITED Against COVID-19!
Page 6
Questions or Concerns about COVID-19?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding
COVID-19
You can visit the UMC website
@ umcommunities.org for cur rent UMC
COVID-19 information.
Or you can call the CDC Hotline: 800-232-4636.
If you are experiencing any of the following
symptoms (Fever, Cough or Shortness of breath)
and you think you may have been exposed to
COVID-19 and you are unsure what you should
call your doctor and you can call following
numbers:
City of Plainfield Health Department:
908-753-3092
City of Plainfield Health Department
Emergency After Hours Contact: 908-753-
3131
CDC Hotline: 800-232-4636
Security Desk: 908-791-9373
NJ SNAP Benefits Update
Many New Jerseyans who receive food assistance through the
NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) will
receive an extra benefit payment in late March and their
benefits will be higher in April to help address critical food
needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recipients will
receive their first supplemental benefit on their Families First
EBT card at the end of March, and will be able to use the benefits beyond the month
of March.
Visitation Guidelines:
VISITORS who are for the HEALTH and
WELL-BEING of a resident are
permitted to visit. Examples are: visitors
who assist with a bath, preparing food,
filling medication, etc. If you have
questions or concerns regarding
visitation, call the Social Service
Coordinator. Your family and friends can
make deliveries to you in the lobby.
Thank you for your cooperation during
this time.
M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I
1
April Fools Day
National Walking
Day Community
Activity
2
3
6 Stay home and receive our weekly random Door Dash.
7
8
Passover
Begins
9
10
Good Friday
Office Closed
13
14 15 16
Passover
Ends
17
Remember to do your
Home Exercises
From Alberto
20 21 Are you bored
indoors?
Connect with your Social Service
Coordinator for
Creative Activities to engage in.
22
23
24
27
National Tell a
Story Day Activity
28 29 30 EMERGENCY
Mini Mart
Open Daily
Check out our calendar and plan to
attend the fun activities, educational
workshops, and special events
happening in our community.
April 2020 Calendar of Events
Page 7
National Volunteer Week
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