COVID-19 Update: Serving our Families & Community
Over the past 10 years, we’ve repeatedly seen how the impact of our program goes beyond the classroom and the squash courts. Students think of SquashDrive as part of their family, because of the caring adults and supporters who look out for them and push them to succeed. With the COVID-19 outbreak, our team has stepped up and adapted in order to continue to provide meaningful services at a time when students and families need our support the most.
We wanted to reach out to let you know where we are focusing our efforts and that there continue to be ways for you to get involved virtually (and from at least 6 feet away).
Assessing Needs: Our top priority has been to conduct a needs assessment of our students and families. Our staff has connected with every one of our students and families so we can allocate time and resources where they are needed most. Before the shelter in place went into effect, we were able to get a laptop to every family and student that didn’t have one. Comcast is offering 60 days of free WiFi so we have also been able to help get all of our families the internet access needed for supporting their online learning.
Engaging Students: In addition to bi-weekly phone calls to all of our families, our program staff has been creative in finding ways to deliver virtual support. Our staff and volunteers have already provided over 60 hours of virtual academic tutoring over last week. We are also providing three weekly Zoom Fitness calls and have had tremendous participation from our students, family members, volunteers, and community partners.
Providing Resources: We have communicated a host of resources (food/internet access housing, financial assistance) to our families and have created a packet with information and credentials so that students have access to their learning portals. We have also distributed technology so students can have access to e-learning.
Collaborating with Partners: We are continually connecting with our national network (SEA), our colleagues from across the country, and the local nonprofit community. We're sharing best practices, learning what others are doing well, and what challenges we have in common.
Many people have asked how they can help support SquashDrive during the COVID-19 crisis.
Here are three immediate ways you can make an impact:
1. If you haven’t already done it, like our Facebook page, and follow us on Instagram to see all the ways we are supporting our students and their families.
2. If you have any resources or suggestions for e-learning or fitness inspiration, share them with us! We gratefully welcome your ideas and support.
3. If you are able, we always welcome donations of any size - donate here.
We will continue to follow the guidance of the San Francisco Department of Health in response to COVID-19; the health and well-being of our staff and students is at the forefront of our minds. The SquashDrive community is strong, resilient and compassionate, and I am confident that together we will be able to weather this storm.
