Last shift

The morning started out too early but peaceful. Downstairs at 6 to take over from Aaron on the night shift. All was quiet. 

Check the bathrooms- make sure there is tp, shampoo, soap, toothpaste. Restock in two but the rest are fine. Well, I suppose, someone is showering in one.

Upstairs a little before 7 to make sure the person assigned to making breakfast is up and hopefully on the way downstairs to the kitchen. Eggs, arepas (corn donuts that are sometimes stuffed and sometimes not), fruit, hot water, powdered milk in a pitcher and cereal. We have choices. One morning we had leftover mashed potatoes in folded tortillas with eggs on the side (almost a breakfast burrito). Then it is clean up…dishes and clearing the eating room—putting the tables and chairs away and sweeping/mopping. Handing out laundry soap for the machines. Checking that anyone leaving is ready and has a snack bag prepared for the journey. Grabbing diapers and wipes for a parent whose kid is going to need it soon. Receiving the text that lets us know if we are expecting anyone to be dropped off by border patrol and when. Checking and clearing/ cleaning the rooms that guests have left. Being used sheets and towels down and putting them in the ‘laundry trash can’ to be toted by dolly two blocks away to be washed and hung out to dry. 

Answering the phone. Calls from people looking for answers to where their loved ones are, how to work the ankle monitors, can we come to get help from you or shelter. We don’t have the answers to the fort last two and the third is no. We can give you the name of another shelter but we can only accept those who the director sends us…99.99 from ICE. And many of ours come from the hospital. Broken ankle, dehydration, broken neck, car accident, just had a baby. So they might stay a bit longer than the 2 to 3 days of most of our guests. 

Then intake. We can get all of our arrivals at once or they can trickle in a few at a time. Not sure which I prefer though probably the trickle. I feel rushed when there are too many waiting on me. We fill out the paper, talk to family and discuss leaving, give them a toothbrush,  assign them to a room with clean sheets and towels (if they are staying), get them a ride to the airport or directions to the bus station if they aren’t. Then a trip to the roperia for a change of clothes. 

In the midst of this you are still answering the phone and the doorbell. As the doors stay locked but guests can leave and only a volunteer should be opening the door, that can take some time. Also keeping an eye on the clock to get the lunch chefs started with a meal plan and all ingredients needed….and if there is time—have a romp with the kids, coloring, kicking a ball/stuffed animal around, playing hide and seek in an open room…

It’s hectic at times and quiet at times. And similar to weather patterns you always kind of wish for the opposite thing to be happening when you’ve got either one…

Then write down anything you think the next shift needs to know before turning over responsibility and taking a walk or a nap or just a break out of sight.