Effective on January 10, Boys and Girls Homes is going to a work from home model as appropriate for office staff due to the rapid spread of COVID.
“The safety of our youth and staff is the top priority,” said President/CEO Ricky Creech. “As we have seen the numbers of COVID cases begin to climb quickly, we are taking this step to keep everyone safe and healthy. We need to keep as many staff COVID free as we can.”
Staff who have to be present on campus to perform their duties are to wear a mask while at work and interacting with others.
“If they can isolate in their office, they can remove their mask,” said Creech. “We expect masks for every interaction.”
While the campus currently remains open for required visits only, all visitors are required to wear a mask and maintain appropriate distances.
“We will continue to monitor the situation,” Creech said. “We are hopeful that this will be a short term situation to prevent a longer issue.”
On campus public charter school Thomas Academy was closed Monday, January 10. Classes will be virtual through Friday, January 15 in the interest of community safety and providing quality instruction. Parents will be able to pick up Chromebooks for students to use for the virtual classes on Tuesday, January 11 from 3 – 5 p.m. in the school parking lot. A plan for next week will be announced on Friday.
As of now, the BGHNC Country Store remains open for sales Wednesday – Friday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 noon. Masks are required and capacity limits will be enforced.
About Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Inc., has been helping children since 1954. Since then, more than 7,500 children have benefitted from the services of the not-for-profit, 501(c)3 agency. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive array of services for children and youth who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other family dysfunction. BGHNC offers adoption, family and therapeutic foster care, Success Coach services to prevent children from coming into foster care, and free children’s therapy, as well as residential care on the campus at Lake Waccamaw. The campus features a SACS-accredited school with a middle and high school curriculum, vocational education, recreation facilities, farm, chapel and cottage life. As many as 320 children are cared for through the residential, community-based services, and school program provided by BGHNC at any given time. BGHNC operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. BGHNC is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation. To learn more, visit www.boysandgirlshomes.org.
Sarah Tarpley contributed updates to this article.
