The COVID-19 Pandemic caused many changes and stresses for the people of Kentucky and the nation.   Among the challenges was the need to stay home, wear face coverings, and stay socially distanced.  Our office doors closed temporarily which changed our way of doing programs, but new doors opened and we were able to keep our clientele engaged.

The Letcher County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent offered Homemaker Hangouts via zoom in hopes of keeping homemakers involved during the shutdown.  There was a total of six Hangout zoom sessions with topics including food or drink, home or craft projects, book or magazines, movie or TV shows, rediscovered hobby/hobbies and seasonal favorites.  We had several trial runs and phone calls before the first Homemaker Hangout to help homemakers learn how to use this new technology.  

During the Hangouts there would be an average of 8 Homemakers per zoom session.  The Homemakers were not only getting to visually see others that they had not seen in several months but were also learning the interests of other Homemakers.  During one of the zoom sessions 100% of those in attendance learned that they could download a library app to check out books/movies on their smartphones or tablets from their local library.  The homemakers were all very appreciative of all the activities that were being offered to them.  Several made comments that the Homemaker Hangouts and other programs offered helped them with their mental health during the pandemic.