​Chicago, IL— Chicago HOPES for Kids is honored to have been named one of the Neighborhood Innovation Award winners for their COVID-19 Virtual Academic Support. The winners were announced at this year’s virtual event held on Monday, October 19th.

​Students experiencing homelessness have been particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis because they regularly lack access to the internet, computers, and other resources vital to remote learning. In partnership with the Reva David Logan Foundation, Chicago HOPES forKids distributed WiFi hotspots, tablets, and ChromeBook laptops,as well as virtual academic programming to families living in homeless shelters across the city during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. As students transition to remote learning this fall, we are continuing to provide
virtual resources and socially-distanced in-person programs to ensure students remain on track and encouraged while they are unable to attend school. By providing targeted support for one of the most vulnerable populations of students in Chicago, we are helping prevent them from falling further behind, providing access to greater future opportunity, and closing the digital divide.

“In this year of a global pandemic, innovation is needed now more than ever,” said Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder with Chicago journalist Dan Miller of the awards. “2020 winners are solving big problems in healthcare, community and workforce development, education, finance, agriculture, electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, drug development, business services, and more.”

​“Thank you Chicago Innovation for this honor.” said Chicago HOPES for Kids Board President, Tonya Rice. “This award means a tremendous amount to our organization and will help make a real impact for children and families experiencing homelessness.”

​The complete list of this year’s Chicago Innovation Award winners can be found at
www.chicagoinnovation.com.

​Chicago HOPES for Kids is thrilled to announce that we have been named the recipient of a $50,000 grant through NBC Project Innovation. The grant will support the expansion of STEM curriculum in our After-School programs located in homeless shelters across the city of Chicago.

Many of our students lack access to STEM enrichment because of their socioeconomic status. However, STEM has become an increasingly important aspect of education as it opens up boundless opportunities for children to discover more of their world and build a brighter future. This grant will fund a new curriculum partner, NextWaveSTEM, as well as more technology such as tablets and ChromeBooks to deliver an online literacy curriculum and STEM enrichment during COVID-19 and beyond.

We are grateful to NBC-5 and Telemundo for featuring our work on the air and online - you can find broadcast clips and web stories linked below. Thank you to NBC Project Innovation for your support in our transformative work in the lives of students experiencing homelessness!

NBC 5:
Website story:
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/nbc-5-telemundo-chicago-award-grants-to-non-profits-helping-communities-impacted-by-coronavirus/2271384/

Telemundo Chicago:
Website story:                
https://www.telemundochicago.com/marcando-la-diferencia/organizaciones-locales-reciben-250000-de-telemundo-chicago-y-nbc-5/2089631/   

​Funding will support remote education opportunities for homeless students during COVID-19

Responding to the needs of children experiencing homelessness during COVID-19

Without electronic devices for families to use safely, the ability for students to keep up with schoolwork is significantly impaired.  SchoolHouse Connection has documented the following needs at homeless shelters to ensure successful e-learning: mobile hotspots, devices, places to charge devices, and a stable environment conducive to learning. By purchasing tablets and chargers to be distributed directly to families living at our partner shelters, Reva & David Logan Foundation ensures that they maintain social distance and cleanliness while supporting their children’s education. HOPES is also providing hotspots and access to Xfinity service information where needed to ensure that all families have internet access.

​Chicago HOPES for Kids’ dedicated staff and AmeriCorps volunteers will support students’ use of the tablets by providing guidance to parents and shelter staff on how to use tablets to support ongoing literacy development and complete e-learning activities assigned by Chicago Public Schools. HOPES staff will also be recording read-aloud sessions so that students can maintain a sense of routine and consistently see familiar faces. Executive Director Rita Kahn shares that, “moving forward, we plan to offer video calls with HOPES staff and volunteers on an as-needed basis for individualized homework assistance.” In partnership with Reva & David Logan Foundation, Chicago HOPES for Kids reaffirms their mission to transform lives through education and help children overcome the challenges of homelessness, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.