Updated COVID-19 Statement
The current Stay at Home order mandated by Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot has been extended until May 30th with some modifications. According to the press conference given by the Governor on April 23rd, people are now required to wear face masks in public, even children as young as 2 years old as long as they can medically tolerate wearing a face mask. Some businesses will be allowed to re-open on May 1. Garden centers, green houses, nurseries, animal grooming, State parks, and golf courses are some of the establishments that have been given the green light to re-open while ensuring the health and safety of employees and consumers are top priority.
While this is a mandatory Stay at Home order is not ideal for any of us, the Safe Families PLUS staff would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the mentors and mentees for staying strong and remembering that we are in this together! Below are a few resources, sites, and tips to use to stay connected as we shelter in place alone but together!
Gaming Apps
House Party: It’s an app that allows people to play games together. It can be dowloaded on most mobile devices and used on computers as well.
Health & Wellness Apps
Planet Fitness on Facebook- Every day at 6pm, Planet Fitness will do a 20 minute workout video for free to do at home.
https://www.facebook.com/planetfitness/
Core Power Yoga On Demand
https://www.corepoweryogaondemand.com/keep-up-your-practice
305 Fitness- Has 20 free at home workout sessions on Youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZfi2O6K-r93l4dLnUfPGoRXrBxjG-npn
Nike Training Club App- Designed for full workouts at home or at the gym, with or without equipment, this app offers countless free workouts led by trainers.
FitOn App- This app is free to download and the workouts, which vary from cardio to weight training to Pilates, are free to access and use at any time. Just sign up, answer questions based on your fitness levels and goals, and you’re set.
YouTube Videos
Quick workouts:
There are also tons of apps to help manage anxiety and stress during quarantine such as the Calm App, Shine, Insight Timer, and Headspace is free at the moment.
Managing Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fcoping.html
How to Talk to Kids about COVID-19
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
Tips for Adults to Cope with Coronavirus Anxiety
https://theconversation.com/7-science-based-strategies-to-cope-with-coronavirus-anxiety-133207
Apps to Manage Stress for Meditation/Mindfulness
https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/13-of-the-best-apps-to-manage-stress.html
Entertainment
Audio Stories are offering some free reads right now!
HayMarket is also offering free download of E-Books
Puzzles are always a great way to pass time while being entertained.
Netflix Party! Netflix has developed a new add-on that allows multiple viewers to simultaneously watch a movie & chat virtually (new movies have also been added)!
The number one resource above all else is mindfulness. We are all experiencing trauma in some way, shape, or form on different levels as it pertains to COVID-19 and unfortunately it may be a trigger for some youth. The best way to support your mentee right now is open and frequent communication. We highly encourage video calls to provide youth with extra support while following the state’s guidelines. Let your mentee know you are there for them all ways, always!