Caring During COVID
As you know, the whole world has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Here at Neighbors’ House, our students and our programs are not immune to these effects. However, since Illinois began putting restrictions in place, we have been working hard to still help meet the needs of our students.
NH Care Bags & Volunteer Generosity
Just before the “shelter-in-place” order went into effect, we put together “NH Care Bags” for our students at the Sycamore Reading & Homework Club. These bags had personal care items, books, educational activities, and more. A pair of generous volunteers even purchased a pizza dinner and gift card for each family to help ease some stress during this time. A personal delivery of the NH Care Bags and the pizza from our director, Laura, and a familiar volunteer meant so much to our students! By the middle of April, the students at our Sycamore location had received two NH Care Bags.
Recently, we were able to drop off another set of NH Care Bags to our students at our DeKalb Reading and Homework Club. Included in these care bags were also some recipe cards for a fun Easter treat, as well as the supplies needed to make the snack. Laura went door-to-door to deliver the bags from a safe distance, and was so thrilled to see the students.
“By far the best part was hearing the screams of excitement when the apartment door closed and they started opening their bags...
We miss them so much, but shouts of joy through a door will have to do for now.” -Laura
Virtual Volunteer Read Alouds
We reached out to our volunteers to see if anyone was willing to record themselves reading a picture book to share with our students. These videos have been shared with the students, and we heard from one family, “I think it’s awesome that you guys are still involved with the kids amongst the craziness in our world right now.” We know these small gestures are making an impact on the kiddos we love so much!
Compassion & Support
Texting from our NH phone number is one way we have been able to stay in contact with the families. This week, Laura received a text from a student who was struggling with her Social Studies e-learning. Laura was able to assist the student, and then connected with one of our board members who is a teacher on the student’s team at her middle school. These small interactions show us just how much the students trust and rely on Neighbors’ House in their day-to-day lives. We are so grateful to still be providing support and love for the students during this time.
Looking Ahead
As the COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, we are looking for creative ways to continue connecting with our students and their families. We have already partnered with a local church to continue being able to provide the NH Care Bags on a monthly basis to the students. Another friend of Neighbors’ House reached out with an idea to fundraise among her family and friends to purchase at-home STEM kits for the students.
This is what makes Neighbors’ House a vital part of our local community… We can see how the strong relationships we have built with our students and their families truly matter and are making a difference during such a difficult time.