Support Groups Temporarily Moving to ONLINE only

Mar 11, 2020 | News

Rainbow House is following suggested Center for Disease Control Guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading viruses. As such, we’re moving temporarily to an online support group platform. Those interested in calling in or joining online will be provided a secure link. Please call Rainbow House at (715) 735-6656 for more information.

Steps to Prevent Illness

中文 | Español

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.

Take steps to protect yourself

Illustration: washing hands with soap and water

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Illustration: Woman quarantined to her home

Avoid close contact

Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Take steps to protect others

man in bed

Stay home if you’re sick

Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

woman covering their mouth when coughing

Cover coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

man wearing a mask

Wear a facemask if you are sick

If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.

If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

cleaning a counter

Clean and disinfect

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.

Options include:

Diluting your household bleach.
To make a bleach solution, mix:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
  OR
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
Alcohol solutions.
Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol.
Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.
Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens pdf icon[7 pages]external icon claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

What you need to know about handwashing link with image of soapy handwashing

More handwashing tips

Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings

Donation Guidelines: What we can and cannot accept

Jan 27, 2020 | News

Items We CAN Accept

Rainbow House happily accepts the following items:

New cosmetics and toiletries
Canned or boxed food with current used by dates
Books, records, and DVDs
Games, toys (except stuffed animals) and sports equipment
Housewares: dishes, glassware, kitchen utensils, lamps and small appliances
New or gently used wooden/metal furniture items (dressers, tables, etc.)
Hand tools and small power tools
Domestics: new linens, curtains, blankets, etc.
Cell Phones (restored to factory settings, charger included)

To help you determine your donation’s fair market value Rainbow House is happy to provide a “Value Guide” that offers average prices in thrift stores for items in good condition.

Unfortunately, we DO NOT offer home pick-up of donations at this time. If you are interested in donating a larger item, please call shelter at (715) 735-6656 to arrange drop off at our storage unit. A volunteer can meet you there.

Items We CANNOT Accept

It’s hard to say “no thank you” to a donation when those donations help to support Rainbow House programs. However, we do need to refuse some items for being non-recyclable or containing hazardous materials. Other times, the item must be refused because it costs more to transport, repair or dispose of items. Our staff are trained to know what we can and cannot accept and will help guide you to other possibilities for donations we cannot use. Based on what we already have available through other community resources, and a lack of storage, we are currently not accepting the following items:

No clothing (new or used – we just don’t have enough storage space!)
No stuffed animals
No used Bedding
No food that has been opened or is past its expiration date
No CRT TVs
No CRT Computer Monitors
No Cribs
No Car Seats
No sofas or chairs
No household chemical products such as pesticides, paint, paint thinner, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, aerosols and other environmentally unfriendly waste products.
No automotive hazardous waste such as tires, lead acid batteries, additives, gasoline, oils, antifreeze, etc.
No large appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves/ovens, washers/dryers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, furnaces, microwaves, trash compactors, water heaters console stereos, freon-based appliances, etc.
No used or opened personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, nail polish remover, shaving cream, hairsprays, shavers, curling irons
No used or opened fragrance items or cosmetics
No mattresses/box springs, including waterbed mattresses and waterbed frames
No carpet or carpet padding
No plumbing fixtures or building materials
No traditional recyclables such as glass, newsprint, office paper, cardboard, plastics, magazines, junk mail, etc.
No weapons such as guns, bows and arrows, ammunition, hunting knives, etc.

We’re Hiring!

Jan 3, 2020 | News

Employment Opportunities

Positions Available:
Staff Support/Weekend Position and Fill in Positions

CURRENT SHIFTS AVAILABLE INCLUDE:

Every Other Saturday (except once a month) 11pm to 7am
Every Other Sunday 11pm-7am
Every Monday 11pm-7am

Job Description: This position entails but is not limited to providing crisis client support, answering shelter office phones and security doors, assisting with receptionist duties. Supervision of in-shelter clients, completion of shelter intake and checkout paperwork, cleaning of shelter, and organization of donations. Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Skills:
Minimum of High School Diploma. Applicant will possess ability to work as a team member and independently on their shift. Applicant will have general computer and office skills.