As we reopen, the DC Center is doing our best to meet the needs of our community while creating a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, and visitors. Please see below some of the information available about our space, our meetings, and other questions. We will update this information as necessary as the situation changes or we understand better what information people are looking for.
What are The DC Center’s hours of operation?
- Mondays through Fridays from 12pm to 6pm
- Saturdays from 11am to 3pm
- Sundays are closed
Are support groups/meetings meeting in-person, virtually or hybrid?
Based on surveys and conversations with peer group facilitators and participants and abiding by social distancing guidelines, we are offering a hybrid (physical with webstation for Zoom) option for some while a completely virtual option for others, at each groups’ discretion. The information is available on the event sign-up for each group (easily found via: thedccenter.org/calendar
Which groups/meetings, and when, are offering a hybrid (in-person with webstation) meeting option? (This list subject to change as groups choose to return to the DC Center’s offices)
Fridays: Tea Time from 2 – 4 pm.
2nd Tuesday: Coming Out Group from 7 to 8:30pm.
2nd & 4th Wednesdays: Job Club from 6 – 7 pm.
3rd Saturdays: KhushDC from 1:30 to 2:30pm.
4th Saturdays: Black Lesbian Peer Support Group from 11 am – 1 pm
Which groups/meetings, and when, are offering a virtual (Zoom) only meeting option?
Any groups not listed above are meeting virtually.
Can I just walk-in to participate in a hybrid support group/meeting?
Currently, the Center is unable to accommodate walk-ups for peer support groups. Registration in advance will be required for peer support group meetings. Information in this regard will be circulated among peer support group leaders and participants as well as be listed on the Center’s website.
Are therapy meetings still being offered at the Center?
At this time all mental health therapy groups and sessions are remaining virtual via HIPAA compliant Zoom due to the continuing rates of COVID-19. A hybrid model of virtual and in person therapy services will be re-evaluated once the pandemic conditions permit safe in-person meeting.
When is the Center expected to open back up and what are some of the processes?
- Monday October 4th; Monday through Friday 12 to 6pm; Saturday 11 to 3pm.
- CyberStation social distance with three separate computers.
- Peer and Support groups able to offer hybrid options depending on the comfort level of members and facilitators STARTING on Oct 13th. Option to sign up and come to join the Zoom meeting.
- Mental Health services are to remain virtual at this time.
- The Library and Lounge will have social distancing with fewer seats available to accommodate social distancing.
- New and expanding clothing closet and food pantry for those in need of clothes and food.
- The Art Gallery is opening up Saturday October 2nd with new artists. Art will be up for the next three months so it can be seen.
Now that the Center is reopening again, what kind of opportunities are available for those in the community who would like to get involved?
- The best way to stay current with the Center’s activities is to subscribe to our newsletter via our website which comes out every week. This includes volunteer opportunities, information about art installation, monthly programs, and all different social media accounts to get news updates.
- Volunteers wanting to become a support group facilitator are provided with the necessary training.
- Joining a support group is the best way to stay connected to the Center and others in the community.
- There is an events volunteer list to help in events like help preparing to open before events.
- Members of the community can also join a board committee to help and learn how the Center works.
What will be the mitigation efforts to reopen the Center back safely?
- Self-screenings will ask questions with regards to health symptoms.
- Per DC law all staff are required to be vaccinated. However, proof of vaccinations or recent test are not going to be asked from community members.
- In the center social distance practices and mask wearing will be mandated.
- Peer support groups are being offered in hybrid format so those who are not feeling well do not feel obligated to come into the Center.
- In accordance with CDC guidelines contact-tracing will be implemented so signup sheets will be mandatory for all who visit the center with their name, phone number and email address.
- 2 portable air filters have been purchased for the DC Center’s meeting space. They are rated to filter down to .01 microns in size.
Are masks required at the Center?
Per CDC guidelines all staff/participants (2yrs or older) physically at the building are required to always wear masks to stop the spreading of COVID-19.
What will happen if either staff or participants test positive for COVID-19?
- The Center will be closed until a full deep cleaning is completed.
- Staff present/exposed will be asked to quarantine and work remotely until such time as they can provide a negative non-rapid COVID test, per CDC guidelines.
- Participants/guests who visited 3-4 days prior will be notified of the potential exposure and be asked to contact the DC Center if they are showing symptoms.
Will social distancing be enforced at the Center?
The maximum number of people in the DC Center at one time has been adjusted to a maximum of 25 to 30 to accommodate enough space for social distancing.
What kind of sanitation procedures will be implemented to prevent the spread of the COVID-19?
- Sneeze Guards will be installed at the Cyber Center and front desk, as well as 6-foot distance floor markers.
- A sanitation station will be set up outside the Center that includes wipes/sanitizer, gloves, mask and health self-assessment.
- Using a clean pen and used pen system, all who enter the Center will need to fill out a log for contact tracing purposes with information such as name, phone number and email address.
- Cleaning and sanitation procedures will be implemented more frequently throughout the day.
- Air purification system will be provided for various spaces within the Center.
If I am unwilling or unable to comply with mask mandates, will I be turned away from the Center?
To enter the DC Center, you will be asked to wear a mask. If someone is unwilling or unable to wear a mask and/or mentions health issues, assistance will be provided to them outside the DC Center in the Atrium to the best of our staff’s ability. We ask that everyone consider that many people come through the DC Center on a regular basis, so it’s important to make sure everyone is protecting the community by doing what we can.
If rates of COVID continue to rise in DC will the Center remain open?
Federal and local guidelines will be closely monitored and adhered to, up to and including closing the Center due to an increase in COVID cases in the DC area to ensure the safety of our employees and constituents.