Center for Adult Life Enrichment in Hewlett is open

The Center for Adult Life Enrichment’s front door is blocked by two chairs to help ensure members and visitors can be checked in. Executive Director Lee Gerardi asks the visitor to use the hand sanitizer attached to the wall to the left of the entrance way.

She then takes your temperature and reviews the two-page waiver that all members and guests must fill out and then sign in her presence. Tables are spaced out the mandated socially distanced six-feet apart and there is lime-colored tape on the floor also six-feet apart.

The restroom is outfitted with an automatic sink and paper towel dispensary installed by the Hewlett-Woodmere School District. CALE is in the carriage house at 37 East Rockaway Road on the Hewlett High School campus.

Identical to all institutions and organization that closed their doors in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, CALE, which hosts activities, programs and services for its members who live in the Five Towns and several surrounding South Shore communities, was shut down then began offering programs through Zoom and reopened in August.

Gerardi has worked feverishly, calling and emailing members whether to check on their health or to inform them of programs and occasionally sending upbeat messages. CALE has lost a few members to Covid-19 and that heartache is not lost on Gerardi.

“After some long hard planning we reopened on Aug. 11, slowly and carefully with minimal programs to be as safe as possible, for our members and vendors,” she said. “We are starting with a tentative calendar. This means; I have to cordially invite them respectfully, as we need to keep our visitors within Covid safe limits following the guidelines to secure our well-being. We are taking one day at a time.”

Speaker Joe Margolin presented a program about Jews in remote parts of the world on Sept. 24. The kitchen is closed but the back room was opened this week with tables also six-feet apart. Programs continue and so does CALE's bric-a-brac sale with item on three tables against the north wall of the building.

“I felt it was important to bring our folks back together to share some joy in their days and to know they would be safe in their home away from home here at CALE,” Gerardi said. “Our members deserve the very best. I am honored to know them and try to make our days have as much meaning as possible ...we are blessed with the help of our loyal supportive partners, board and members, who helped to make this possible. A beautiful collaboration for sure!