Chicago HOPES for Kids, in partnership with Reva & David Logan Foundation, Brings E-Learning to Homeless Shelters

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

By: Alexandra Kirchner, Development Administrator

CHICAGO, Illinois - Chicago HOPES for Kids is distributing over $20,000 in e-learning equipment - including tablets and power packs - as well as cleaning supplies to families living in homeless shelters across the city through a generous grant from Reva & David Logan Foundation. In addition to the increased health risk of living in a crowded shelter environment, these children consistently face unequal access to educational opportunities and perform behind their peers on key metrics like reading levels. They are at high risk for falling even further behind in their education during a period of remote learning.

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.