Josie begged her mom to let her come to KidWorks last week and help pick-up groceries. "I miss KidWorks! I really want to see Ms. Jessica." Her mom agreed and Josie was allowed to talk to her favorite teacher through the car window. Josie wasn't the only student missing KidWorks.
As you may know, KidWorks has transformed our Dan Donahue Center into a food distribution center to care for our families during COVID-19. Many families report job loses or a significant reduction in income making the ability to purchase food harder than ever.
Over the past three weeks, KidWorks has distributed 49,230 lbs of food to over 360 families over the past three weeks. We are distributing more than meals, we are providing hope to our families during the uncertainty of COVID-19. Every time a family picks-up food, a KidWorks staff members is able to provide a wellness check and connect them to resources they may be lacking.
This week, the KidWorks team continued to witness the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the hundreds of families we serve in a way we could not have imagined since we began our mission in 1993. We had several students accompany their parents to pick-up food just for the opportunity to see their teacher and experience some sense of normalcy.
Our hearts are heavy for the parents, children and youth—just as they are for any of you and your loved ones--who have been adversely impacted in any way. Yet, through prayer and perseverance, we are steadfast, continuing our mission: “Restoring at-risk neighborhoods…one life at a time.”
That mission is all the more critical in the face of the pandemic. Those being especially hard hit are low-income central Santa Ana families:
One or both parents in many families have lost jobs
If they have computer access at all, many families must share a single phone, tablet or computer as they struggle to provide a way for their children to access lessons from their Santa Ana Unified School District teachers. For others, there is no online access to schoolwork at all.
All of our college students have been forced to vacate on-campus housing, move home or search for other shelter. They are striving to avoid a “lost semester” academically.
Due to poverty and lost employment, many families are going without groceries, hygiene supplies and other basic needs.
Despite these unprecedented challenges, there is hope. With your support, the thousands of families, children and youth who turn to us will receive much-needed groceries, financial aid and other resources.
