11 learning sites across Indy support students who are learning virtually
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Virtual learning help is now available for hundreds of kids in Indianapolis. The nonprofit The Mind Trust has opened up 11 learning sites. The sites are all around the city to provide educational support and child care services to families who need it most.
The sites have been open for about a week, and they are getting filled with students. Many families are facing hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some families can’t afford to miss work and other families are dealing with employment uncertainty, all while making sure their students can meet their virtual learning requirements.
These sites aim to take away some of the stress for the families.
“I have kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade and then I have an 8th grader,” said parent Monique Lynch.
And for a few dozen kids representing 14 schools they hold “class” at the Reset Center on the far east side. The Reset Center is one of the 11 community learning sites receiving some of the $200,000 in funding from The Mind Trust.
“We are now lessening the burden of a parent who could be dealing with not being able to pay their rent because they got laid off or got furloughed because of COVID,” said the Reset Center’s Howard Harding.
The free sites are for working families needing access to weekday e-learning support and supervision and also child care services. Staff members on site are able to help kids with assignments and other day-to-day educational needs.
“The common theme one, is access to child care, and two, real support for this new learning that many of our kids are experiencing,” said The Mind Trust CEO Brandon Brown.
Brown said it’s heartening to see there’s a demand for these services, but it shows the extent of the struggle for some families. The shift to e-learning has been a challenge for parents like Lynch.
“Really I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it. I prayed every day you know, and just ask God for advice and thank God this great organization came through,” she said.
While the work at The Mind Trust isn’t finished, it’s a step to ensure people, regardless of income, zip code, or skin color, have access to the support they need to be successful.