Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
Elders and staff at the Ella B. Scantlebury Senior Residence on Dixwell Avenue received essentials — including masks and Ricky D’s Rib Shack food — delivered Friday by the brothers of Chi Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
The New Haven brothers decided to donate the 200 masks they got from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. to the elder care center when they heard the facility was having difficulties obtaining personal protective equipment (PPE).
“They’re the most vulnerable and so often overlooked,” said Chairman of the Board of Ella B Scantlebury Home James E. Rawlings.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Rawlings said, the facility has been closely monitoring how coronavirus impacts seniors of color. “Our commitment is to lose no one so we were really aggressive early on,” he said.
To reduce risks of residents contracting Covid-19, Rawlings said, the facility enforces strict social distancing amongst staff and residents in the 20 facility apartments. Rawlings also said residents are encouraged to eat in their rooms rather than in the dining room where the brothers gathered to drop off the food and masks.
“The community really has total respect for the residents here. It’s not a typical facility where people come from different parts. Here they’re from within- they’re the heart of the community.”
Chi Omicron Chapter Vice President Michael Fletcher, who has been a member of Omega Psi Phi for 43 years, said the brothers try to help out people in New Haven most susceptible to the coronavirus: “Black and brown communities are the highest affected by Covid-19 and we’re having issues with PPE. How do you fight it without the proper equipment?”
Chi Omicron Chapter Vice President Michael Fletcher lays out packages of masks.
To help those in need during the pandemic, the brothers have volunteered at the Connecticut Food Bank in Wallingford and organized a blood drive. In May, they helped feed 75 homeless people on the green and are planning to do so again in July and August.
Chi Omicron Chapter President Marcellus Edwards said he was happy to deliver masks Friday to the seniors and staff. “We always try to be active and involved,” he said. Edwards, who grew up in New Haven, has been in the organization for 32 years.
“It’s all about the community,” Edwards said.
Resident Annie Gallman came downstairs to the dining hall wearing a colorful knitted mask to meet the brothers. Gallman, who just turned 101 on May 30, was one of the first residents in the facility when it opened in 1994.
In addition to the masks, the brothers delivered lunch from Ricky‑D’s for the eight staff members at the facility to thank them for their hard work serving seniors in the pandemic.
As the brothers left, the staff members broke open trays of chicken wings, mac and cheese and collard greens and began to dig in.
Thank you to this wonderful group of people who stepped up to provide PPE and food and uplifting the community for those most at risk to the pandemic, and those who are helping take care of our elderly black and brown community.