For over 56 years, the Kennedy Center has provided critical safety nets for Charlestown’s most vulnerable children, families, and seniors. The COVID-19 pandemic is NO exception! Our staff are working around the clock to protect the health and safety of our community while providing services and programming during this unprecedented crisis. The needs of our community are changing daily. The Kennedy Center remains committed to providing essential services despite major disruptions to our operations and daily lives.

In the past week, we have implemented the following changes:

• We have CLOSED ALL ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services through May 4, 2020.

• We have suspended all Family Engagement and Senior activities at our Community Resource Center (JFK CRC), located at 55 Bunker Hill Street through May 4, 2020.

• JFK is a Grab-and-Go food site for ALL AGES effective 5/4/20. No registration is required. ALL children will receive FREE books, early literacy and learning kits, tools, and related materials daily.

• JFK Home Care is OPEN until further notice. Our dedicated Home Care staff are providing Home Health Aide, Personal Care, Homemaking, and Companion services for Charlestown seniors and disabled adults. Additionally, we are reaching out to all seniors within our network to assess health/safety, food and financial insecurity and will work with staff and community partners to direct resources as appropriate.

• We are creating and sharing early learning activities, resources, and NEW content on our social media accounts and via email If you are not already subscribed to our feeds on social media please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @KennedyFSC. You may also visit us on our website www.KennedyCenter.org.

Although there are still a lot of “unknowns”, we do know that the coronavirus crisis disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable, and has already created new economic challenges for millions of families due to loss of wages, benefits, and support. This is only the beginning, we are actively developing new and long-term opportunities to provide additional support for highly at-risk families and staff impacted by the coronavirus public health and economic crisis. Please consider making an online gift to the JFK COVID-19 Response Fund. Your gift, no matter how large or small, makes all the difference to a family in need. Please visit www.kennedycenter.org/donate today. Thanks in advance for your consideration and support! If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the JFK Leadership team:

Thara Fuller

Executive Director: 617-241-8866 x. 1312 | tfuller@kennedycenter.org

Crystal Galvin

Director of Community Services: 617-241-8866 x. 1352 | cgalvin@kennedycenter.org

Griselle Tejeda

Director of Children’s Services: 617-241-8866 x. 1340 | gtejeda@kennedycenter.org

Best,
Crystal Galvin