With the closure of our schools in March due to COVID-19, so much has changed about the way we conduct learning in our pre-school, elementary, and middle school classrooms. But one thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to our scholars and families. In this series, we’ll highlight our teachers and staff and the ways they’ve adapted to continue educating and supporting scholars and parents through COVID-19.
How long have you been with Christopher House?
I have been with Christopher House for two years.
Can you explain your role? What are your main responsibilities?
As a family advocate, I provide resources for families in need and support. We are our parents’ point person and ally.
How has COVID-19 impacted your work? What new responsibilities have you taken on to help families?
We haven’t been able to see families in person. Not being able to see people in person has been hard. It’s a lot harder to support parents over the phone. At the beginning of the pandemic, we were calling 15 families a week to make sure they had what they needed.
A lot of our families don’t have access to laptops and smartphones, so it was harder for them to get the help they needed and do things like submit applications for rental assistance or apply for unemployment or assistance from the government. That was a major concern for us, and we wanted to help them get all the resources they need.
A lot of families lost their jobs when the quarantine started, so Family Support Services increased our rental assistance program to help support them. Our main role while working from home was supporting parents who had lost their job. We would ask them what kind of job they’re looking for and send them job postings. We can’t fill out applications for them, but we can send them all the resources and help them on the phone. And if someone didn’t have access to food, we would connect them with local resources, such as a food pantry in their neighborhood. We also provided diapers for pick-up at our sites.
I really feel like our department has gone above and beyond to figure out how we can support our families through this tough situation. When we were re-opening centers, we asked families if they needed clothing and shoes and were able to provide that as well. Christopher House always goes above and beyond for our families.
How are you continuing to connect with students and families?
In April, our department provided all of us with a work phone so we could call our families and give them our work hours. We already used the Remind app, and that was our main source of communication when sending social work updates and reminders. We stay in touch over the phone, Remind, and email. Even though we don’t see the families, we’re still able to communicate and offer as much support as we can.
We’re not currently taking in-person appointments with parents, but we’re hoping to be able to do so safely by the fall.
What are you most looking forward to after the pandemic is over?
I look forward most to being able to interact with families and children in person. One of my favorite parts about my job is the one-on-one interactions. I really miss seeing parents and seeing the kids. And I’m also looking forward to not wearing masks!
What advice do you give families for coping with COVID-19?
This whole pandemic brought out a more personal side of me. I really feel for our families who are hurting, and I’ve tried to be understanding and provide as much support as I can. Together, we’re praying this is going to end soon, but in the meantime, I want to provide them with all the services they need. I ask how their kids are doing and try to support the whole family. I just want them to know I’m still here for them.
