Red Roof reopening slowly, one program at a time

After a revolving door of being open and closed during the pandemic, Red Roof Retreat is now optimistic about getting back to doing what they do best — helping their special needs kids and their families.

Executive director Steffanie Bjorgan says she and the other staff members are looking forward to being open in whatever capacity they can be for the moment, and to expanding their services in the coming weeks and months.

Two years ago, in March 2020, Red Roof was looking ahead at a year of celebrations for its 20th anniversary.

Instead, they were shut down. Although they were excited to finally open again last September, before they really got underway they were shut down again in December, and stayed closed until last month.

Pre-pandemic, Red Roof Retreat had three locations, including a relatively new one in St. Catharines that had allowed them to expand their programs. They had 212 families on their register, and almost 30 staff, including five in administrative positions, says Bjorgan.

Currently, they are down to a handful of staff, one location open, and just day programs running in a very limited capacity, still due to COVID restrictions, and also because of staff shortages.

The children’s respite program which was such a life-saver for parents and children at the Ranch site, accommodating five children each weekend, 48 weekends of the year, is now closed until they can acquire more staff.

Adult respite care at Kevan’s House, with four adults per weekend, for 24 weekends, is now also unable to operate due to lack of staff.

The adult day program, which was offered at two sites, with about 17 clients per day, 48 weeks per year, is now down to one site, three clients a day, “until we get more staff,” says Bjorgan.

Summer camp is usually open to 20 to 25 campers per week for six weeks. “Last year we had 10 campers due to social distancing,” says Bjorgan, who is hoping to get closer to full capacity this season “if all restrictions are lifted and more staff are available.”

“Other recreation programs will wait until fall 2022,” she added.

When Red Roof first had to close, staff, including Bjorgan, were laid off and on employment insurance. “I keep getting approached by people thinking I’m still getting paid, and that I own the properties,” she says, laughing. “I wish . . . I’m on EI like so many of our other staff, who then went on to get other jobs, and I’m not going back while other staff are still off.”

Bjorgan founded Red Roof as a not-for-profit organization, with a board to run it, and is an employee the same as other staff members, she says.

As programs reopen, the immediate need is for front-line staff, and the best approach is to hire a few at a time, train them, and then hire a few more. As the number of trained staff increases, Red Roof can bring back more programs and more clients, she says.

“At this time, we have brought back one part-time and one full-time admin position, and two front-line staff. We recently hired two more. This allows us to at least get one site up and running for a limited day program, which in turn allows us to not only serve some clients, but provide a program to train new staff,” she says.

“So basically, with each new ready staff, we can expand capacity. As capacity grows, the rest of the admin roles will be reinstated.”

Last fall, Red Roof developed a partnership with Cornerstone Community Church, which was interested in doing outreach projects through that partnership. But despite excitement on both sides for moving forward with programs at the church, another lockdown occurred postponing that project.

“We are hoping to get back into Cornerstone Community Church as soon as they have donated space,” says Bjorgan.

That will help make up for the space Red Roof lost by closing their St. Catharines location, necessary for budget reasons during the pandemic.

“Until we have the capacity to bring back the volunteer/special events coordinator, we are looking for community volunteers to help with events such as Bingo with OLG,” and to promote events and schedule volunteers. They also need help with outdoor spring projects. If anyone is interested they can email [email protected].

Without their traditional pasta dinner fundraiser for two years, Red Rood has had to rely on donations, and is also in need of financial support.

“Thank you to everyone who continued to support us, especially through our Gifts from the Heart Campaign and our Red Rovers Monthly Giving Program,” says Bjorgan.

Despite the many challenges, Bjorgan as always remains optimistic for the future, grateful to be open, knowing there are great people to train, and moving forward “slow and steady,” to a time when Red Roof will be back to what it was pre-pandemic.

For more information about volunteering, donations or legacy giving, visit https://www.redroofretreat.com/