Population Need: YMCA is an organization that provides a safe space for academic and health services for low-income children and families. Their mission is to strengthen the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. They are committed to building equity through diversity, inclusion, and global engagement efforts. They work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race, or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. The purpose of this organization is for every child to drive for a college education and be in a healthy state. Since students have the need to adapt to online learning, low-income students might find it more difficult to have the materials needed in order to continue their education. YMCA has provided many great resources during this pandemic which are; online academic achievement, online health classes, and teaming up with other organizations to create a safer internet space for youth. YMCA does run several programs, one being after-school enrichment for many schools around the Bay Area, since the shelter-in-place all programs have been shut down but YMCA has still provided meals for youth. In the after-school programs (k-8th), YMCA staff provides daily snacks, academic enrichment such as homework assistance, curriculum (Arts & Crafts, Country of the Month, STEM, and College & Career). Youth also is involved in daily physical activity games and assessments that allow them to socialize with other students. The YMCA is also focused on its core values which are Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, and Caring. The staff creates a safe environment in which children participate and demonstrate the four core values. There also are many great online resources for parents and families to access their site for health and fitness.

Third Street Community Center is an afterschool program that provides a safe space for elementary and middle school students to do homework, interact with peers, gain learning experiences through different academic events (e.g. Spelling Bee), and the opportunity to learn more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Primarily, this organization targets low-income children and families, many speaking mostly Spanish, who rely on Third Street to provide academic support for these students. Considering the pandemic, parents may continue to need that support for their children and there have been many resources that provide this help for students of all ages. Horizon Charter Schools provides free resources for parents and students being homeschooled during the shelter in place. This website has resources for grades K-12 that have many learning opportunities, such as elementary-high school academic packets that could be relevant to the homework these students currently have. This website is in English, Russian, and Spanish for families to read through and utilize. At the same time, some of the things that the staff may need are resources in helping these individuals to protect their mental health amid the crisis. The staff spends more time maintaining communication, support, and instructions to children and families. Thus, some useful information that focuses on the health and wellbeing of the employees would be extremely beneficial during this time of uncertainty. In addition, they may also need some information in preventing the occurrence of technical difficulties to foster uninterrupted learning during online sessions with students.

References:

Free Resources for Parents and Students Homeschooling During the Shelter in Place Order | Horizon Charter Schools. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.horizoncharterschools.org/free-resources-for-parents-and-students-homeschooling-during-the-shelter-in-place-order/

Strengthening Community. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.ymcasv.org/

Wiecha, J. L., Nelson, T. F., Roth, B. A., Glashagel, J., & Vaughan, L. (2010). Disseminating health promotion practices in after-school programs through YMCA learning collaboratives. American Journal of Health Promotion, 24(3), 190-198.