The Arlington Life Shelter is committed to assist families who are experiencing homelessness with the stated mission of returning them to self-sufficiency by offering re-training and educational support. Despite having a new upgraded full computer lab with 12 work stations, a 40-person classroom, a teen and elementary space, a study room, and open air playground in the building, due to COVID they are are unable to bring in the volunteer teachers and tutors to ensure adequate programming within these spaces. Without this programming, the Shelter will be unable to fulfill its core mission of returning families to self-sufficiency. The children will not be able to get the positive tutoring to keep them at grade level and the adult residents will not receive the necessary training (e.g. ranging from basic courses like financial management, Microsoft office skills, what to look for in a used vehicle, to life skills like parenting, self-care/stress reduction and coping with loss, to job skills like resume writing, interviewing skills, dressing for success for a job). Therefore, we propose to recruit our members and their affiliated organizations to create the content of the proposed courses, teach and video said courses for continued and ongoing use by the Shelter, and work with Arlington Life Shelter staff to get these materials in regular rotation with their residents. This program will include securing a professional videographer and editor to create streamline and professional course content, as well as the creation and production of relevant supportive course materials. Projects will be used primarily on these components of the program. Additionally, we will work with a local tutoring organization to produce content that can be helpful for the youngest of learners (e.g. materials as well as live-streaming on-line after school support).
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