Joyful Connections has made several changes to one of their four visit rooms to ensure correct staffing, with several walls being added to protect its program manager.

After temporarily closing for eight weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and offering remote video visits, Joyful Connections was able to re-open its building recently with enhanced safety and health protocols for families, children,and staff.

Because of the generosity of the Ottawa County Community Foundation’s Rapid Response Fund, Joyful Connections was able to purchase the needed supplies to make this re-opening a reality. Items purchased include several no-touch thermometers, three 50-gallon totes and six plastic crates for toy and game sanitizing, spray bottles and bleach, zippered bags for reusable mask storage, a cart to transport toys, and a white board for important notifications.

“We are so grateful to the Ottawa County Community Foundation for their continued support and are amazed that they were able to shift focus immediately to respond to the needs of the county,” said Shanna Strouse, Joyful Connections Executive Director.

Joyful Connections was also able to make several changes to one of their four visit rooms to ensure correct staffing along with several walls being added to keep their program manager safe. Not only are these changes necessary during these uncertain times, they will assist Joyful Connections in the future as they continue to serve Ottawa County and the surrounding areas.

Joyful Connections is a local agency that provides supervised visitations and exchanges for families. It provides a child-focused, healthy, safe, and home-like environment where children can interact with family members in a non-judgmental setting.