Topeka Rescue Mission - Main Shelter
Address
600 N. Kansas
Topeka, KS - 66608
COVID UPDATES
In this ever-changing world of Covid-19, TRM continues to review, revise and reframe how to provide the safest possible services and reduce the risk of Covid-19 within TRMs Shelters and services. Safety for our guests, staff and volunteers remains our top priority. With that priority as our focus, leadership has worked diligently to restructure both organizational structure and programming. Highlights of these changes are:
1. Quarantine and Isolation- We have established areas within the main shelter for both quarantine and isolation. The quarantine rooms will be utilized for any guests self-identifying that they have possibly been exposed to someone who is symptomatic or for those coming to the shelter from identified geographic "hot spots". Guests placed in quarantine will remain there for 14 days or until they exhibit identified symptoms. The isolation rooms will be used in case we have current guests who are symptomatic for Covid-19 including a fever of 100.4 or greater plus a cough or shortness of breath. Staff will consult with SNCO Health Department to determine the need to transport guests exhibiting symptoms to the appropriate medical facility.
2. Security and Screening- We have changed how we interface with those seeking to shelter with us. One significant change is that entry doors to all shelters will be locked at all times. Potential guests will be pre-screened to determine eligibility and Covid-19 risk prior to entering the buildings. All guests will be screened at the Main Shelter. Temperatures will be taken, and questions asked to determine if those seeking shelter are either symptomatic or at risk for having been exposed. Screening positive will not necessarily exclude someone from receiving shelter but will help us to place them in the most appropriate living situation to keep them and other as safe as possible.
3. Priority Sheltering- In addition to the above described screening methods, for the first time in TRM history, we will give priority to those coming from the 5-county MSA including:
a. Shawnee
b. Wabaunsee
c. Jefferson
d. Jackson
e. Osage
All other potential guests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to decrease the likelihood of have people who enter our facilities from geographic "hot spots". This was not a decision that came easily. It has always been our desire to serve all who come to our doors seeking help, yet in this critical time and considering our top priority of safety for guests, staff and volunteers it is the soundest decision.
4. Food Distribution- As previously announced, we continue to limit in-house meals to our guests while continuing to provide sack meals that include items for supper and breakfast to those from the community at large. We are also continuing to supply food boxes to the community every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5. Resource Needs- As with any changes, there are costs we will incur in order to carry out the level of safety and service needed to protect everyone involved. Examples of this include:
a. In order to provide the areas for quarantine and isolation, we will need to add staff in order to effectively monitor and provide service to those within those areas.
b. Structural changes are required to bring our facilities into a position to accommodate both our regular guests as well as those needing quarantine or isolation.
c. In order to effectively lock down our facilities, security upgrades have been installed including locks and cameras.
In this ever-changing world of Covid-19, TRM continues to review, revise and reframe how to provide the safest possible services and reduce the risk of Covid-19 within TRMs Shelters and services. Safety for our guests, staff and volunteers remains our top priority. With that priority as our focus, leadership has worked diligently to restructure both organizational structure and programming. Highlights of these changes are:
1. Quarantine and Isolation- We have established areas within the main shelter for both quarantine and isolation. The quarantine rooms will be utilized for any guests self-identifying that they have possibly been exposed to someone who is symptomatic or for those coming to the shelter from identified geographic "hot spots". Guests placed in quarantine will remain there for 14 days or until they exhibit identified symptoms. The isolation rooms will be used in case we have current guests who are symptomatic for Covid-19 including a fever of 100.4 or greater plus a cough or shortness of breath. Staff will consult with SNCO Health Department to determine the need to transport guests exhibiting symptoms to the appropriate medical facility.
2. Security and Screening- We have changed how we interface with those seeking to shelter with us. One significant change is that entry doors to all shelters will be locked at all times. Potential guests will be pre-screened to determine eligibility and Covid-19 risk prior to entering the buildings. All guests will be screened at the Main Shelter. Temperatures will be taken, and questions asked to determine if those seeking shelter are either symptomatic or at risk for having been exposed. Screening positive will not necessarily exclude someone from receiving shelter but will help us to place them in the most appropriate living situation to keep them and other as safe as possible.
3. Priority Sheltering- In addition to the above described screening methods, for the first time in TRM history, we will give priority to those coming from the 5-county MSA including:
a. Shawnee
b. Wabaunsee
c. Jefferson
d. Jackson
e. Osage
All other potential guests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to decrease the likelihood of have people who enter our facilities from geographic "hot spots". This was not a decision that came easily. It has always been our desire to serve all who come to our doors seeking help, yet in this critical time and considering our top priority of safety for guests, staff and volunteers it is the soundest decision.
4. Food Distribution- As previously announced, we continue to limit in-house meals to our guests while continuing to provide sack meals that include items for supper and breakfast to those from the community at large. We are also continuing to supply food boxes to the community every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5. Resource Needs- As with any changes, there are costs we will incur in order to carry out the level of safety and service needed to protect everyone involved. Examples of this include:
a. In order to provide the areas for quarantine and isolation, we will need to add staff in order to effectively monitor and provide service to those within those areas.
b. Structural changes are required to bring our facilities into a position to accommodate both our regular guests as well as those needing quarantine or isolation.
c. In order to effectively lock down our facilities, security upgrades have been installed including locks and cameras.
Meal Service
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided Monday through Friday for guests staying at TRM. Two meals are served on the weekends and holidays.
Due to Covid-19, we continue to limit in-house meals to our guests while continuing to provide sack meals that include items for supper and breakfast to those from the community at large. These sack meals are distributed from the Northwest door of our Main Shelter at 600 N Kansas Ave, Monday-Friday from 6 - 6:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 5 - 5:30pm.
We are also continuing to supply food boxes to the community every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m at our Distribution Center located at 401 NW Norris.
There are special schedules for certain holidays, if you have a question about when a meal time is, please call our main phone number at 785-354-1744.
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided Monday through Friday for guests staying at TRM. Two meals are served on the weekends and holidays.
Due to Covid-19, we continue to limit in-house meals to our guests while continuing to provide sack meals that include items for supper and breakfast to those from the community at large. These sack meals are distributed from the Northwest door of our Main Shelter at 600 N Kansas Ave, Monday-Friday from 6 - 6:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 5 - 5:30pm.
We are also continuing to supply food boxes to the community every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m at our Distribution Center located at 401 NW Norris.
There are special schedules for certain holidays, if you have a question about when a meal time is, please call our main phone number at 785-354-1744.
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Emergency Shelter Families/Singles. Regular Beds 150
Upper Bunks 136Total Beds 286
At times, due to family demographics or a guest's physical limitations, not all bunks are able to be utilized. Each year, we shelter nearly 2,000 individuals.
Time at the Mission varies according to your needs.
There is no charge for staying at the Mission, but donations are always needed and are welcome. However, we would rather see you save your money to go toward obtaining permanent housing.
If you have stayed in this shelter, how was your stay?
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