A frigid ‘SNOVID’ had its warm side:

 

A frigid ‘SNOVID’ had its warm side: ‘I can’t go out and get drugs. I'm  getting a start on being sober.’     Almost everyone reading this newsletter lived through the arctic blast that I call SNOVID — more widely known as Winter Storm Uri. It's one of those universal experiences. Those of you reading it from places with four seasons may not be impressed, but readers from the South will not forget it soon.     SNOVID was a bugger! We're lucky the storm’s arrival and bitter cold were well forecast. We gave out lots of winter gear the week before, and the weather was cooperative in that it turned cold and wet before the storm, so clients naturally wanted extra blankets and jackets. We happily obliged from a great store of donated items, thanks to our amazing supporters. Then the storm hit. It snowed and snowed and then iced. Nobody in Austin could go anywhere, including our team members and clients. We remained closed. And then things got worse.
The power went out and stayed out. Homes began to freeze. Getting around was nearly impossible, but our team sprang into action. They answered texts and phone and social media messages, and they worked to reassure and guide clients.    The team continued our online events, which suddenly were very crowded. Clients went to shelters in record numbers, and they took one another into their camps and apartments. The temperature was life-threateningly cold for more than 48 hours. People who might not normally get along did so for the sake of survival. Clients noticeably got thinner. We heard from people desperate for food, often helped out by neighbors nearby. At one point we got messages from a group of clients sheltering together. Food was so scarce that there were fights over snacks and scraps.    A team member walked to work that day and opened our drop-by to hand out food and gloves and other gear that evening. And the team member walked food down to a shelter that had run low on supplies. That's our amazing team in action.
Out of all the gloom, something emerged that surprised all of us. Multiple people reported something we didn't expect. It surprised even them. "I hate this storm, but something good is happening. I can't go out and get drugs. I'm getting a start on being sober. And I'm here with people who support me and are helping me." We heard the same story from at least three clients on different events and calls.
Our clients are amazing and resilient. They have responded to COVID by managing, but COVID has brought a series of crises to them: unemployment, closed services, food scarcity, financial issues and more. But they have adapted and seem to be more motivated than ever. We've seen the number of goals set and achieved skyrocket in the last year. We've seen the number of prayer requests and celebrations shoot through the roof. And our clients showed us that even a snowstorm can bring good. We exited the deep freeze of SNOVID with beautiful weather. SNOVID canceled our planned Valentine's celebration, so we delayed it a week and handed out roses to clients, simply telling them they are known and loved, and we're here to serve. A few hours later, I saw one client sitting on a park bench, still clutching her rose. Another composed a beautiful photo of the rose in a vase in their apartment with an artfully placed shadow against the wall.    Love wins! Thank you for your support.