Reimagining Women’s Ministries for the Short Term – Volume 19

Central Women DIY Face Mask Project

Covid-19 has changed the world we live in and as we continue to approach it as a unified front we are asked (or required) to make the changes necessary to build community and increase the quality of health. One way to reimagine community is by embracing the wearing of masks when out and about. Doing so not only reminds us to be more intentional with our movements, but also governs the way we converse with others through a layer of protection.

As we continue fighting this virus, let us consider how our neighbors, children’s classmates, co-workers, elderly, etc. are going to face taking their first steps outside their homes, some in weeks or months. Together we can overcome this.

To do this boldly we need to be prepared. One way to do this is to be challenged.

Central Territory Challenge

Goals

Goals and Objectives

There are 266 Corps and Harbor Lights in the Central Territory.
If each unit makes five masks in the first week, there would be 1330 masks.
This is contingent on if units have all materials. If units do not have all the materials or if every unit does not participate, this number could potentially be cut in half. This gives us a grand total of 665 masks. (Again, for the first week or by April 24, 2020.) In some cases units may already may be recording this number.
It is estimated that inventory in stores will not go back to normal until July 2020, so this does not have to be a short-term project, as the masks are still needed and can be utilized somewhere. By that time, the Central Territory could have made close to 2500 masks or more.
Post on your divisional women’s ministries Facebook page a picture with the number of masks made, or post our Facebook page: Central Women – The Salvation Army USA.
Make sure to include this project on your 6 month report under divisional projects. Note, you may have more than one divisional project this year.

Getting Started

Inquire the need of neighbors, schools, nursing homes, assisted living, congregation members, shelter, social service clients, etc.
Inquire the interest of Women’s Ministries groups, Women’s Auxiliaries, Crafters Circles, Quilters Circles, etc.
Create your teams

Stations

(Gatherers, Producers, Quality Control and Distributors)

General Information
- Participants should be healthy and safe
- Communication is important between each step
- Divide and conquer, will help to share the burden and have an increase sense of togetherness
- Take pictures and share the journey of the mask
- Other groups/individuals have already implemented this DIY, so don’t hesitate to learn from them. For example, the Southern Territory has a model including websites and templates posted to their Facebook page.
Gatherers: persons who will gather the tools and supplies.
- Reach out to local businesses, groups, people in your congregation for free supplies
- Ask for donations of money to purchase supplies
- Ensure proper materials and instructions are used
Producers: persons who will make the masks
- Communicate with gatherers to ensure materials and instructions are used
- Make different types and sizes
Quality Control: persons who will collect from producers and ensure quality of masks
- Ensure proper cleaning of masks by someone who is healthy/safe
- Ensure proper storage of masks through distribution
Distributors: persons who will collect masks from quality controllers, contact possible recipients and distribute masks to various audiences
- Create a list of possible individuals and/or groups who may need/want a mask
- Contact individuals and/or groups to discussion interest, number of masks needed, and set a time for drop-off/pick-up

Ideas

Ideas for making the masks

If you cannot find elastic, you can use an elastic headband from any store that sells them. Most likely these are still on the shelves (Gatherers and Producers)
For filters, you can use an air filter. Some retail as low as $4.97 at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards (Gatherers and Producers)
If storing in a plastic tub, sanitize the tub with alcohol, if you do not have disinfectant spray (Quality Control and Distributors)
If storing in a box, you can line the box with tissue paper. This can be purchased from a Dollar Store (Quality Control and Distributors)

GoalsReminders

Reminders for making masks

Always work on a clear, clean surface (Producers and Quality Control)
PLEASE wear a mask, while you are making them (Producers)
Post as many photos as possible. Take a photo from beginning to end: the materials you are using, your very first mask and your product. How many did you make? (All Stations)
If you’d like, you can also make your own YouTube video! ? (All Stations)

Tutorials