When we first launched our COVID-19 Boosts Resiliency Fund back in March 2020, we did not expect the demand and outpouring support we received from low-income students all over the country. We recognize and empathize with the challenges and stories you are facing.
Why Creating a Resource Hub for Low-Income Students Matters
According to Yale's School of Medicine, low-income communities are continuing to fall behind in comparison to more affluent communities due to a lack of resources available to them during the COVID-19 crisis.
For our inaugural Boosts Resiliency Fund, we received over 750 applications and awarded 4 Chromebooks, 4 pairs of Noise-Cancellation Headphones, 2 Printer, and 1 Pocket Wifi along with 5 supply kits (books, art supplies, and extracurricular activity gears).
Throughout our application process, we recognized and narrowed down three essential areas of need to create equitable learning environments for all students: internet access, educational tutoring, and food-related items.
COVID-19 Resources for Low-Income Students
Today, we are excited to launch the COVID-19 Resources Page for low-income students in all 50 states. Here, students will have access to resources in internet access, food scarcity, and educational tutoring based on their home state. They will also have the option to request Language Assistance for applications in Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.
With social distance learning becoming normal for the new school year, we are hopeful that in continuing this work, no student will fall through the cracks due to financial limitations.
How To Use Close the Gap’s COVID-19 Resources Page
The COVID-19 Resources Page for low income students includes resources to state-bound organizations in all 50 states. Included in this page are:
- Resources For Low-income Students: Links to over 150 resources in relation to food scarcity, internet access, and educational tutoring in all 50 states.
- Language Assistance: 15-minute Language Assistance appointments in Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese to help you translate applications written in a different language.
- Application Assistance: Application Assistance to help you access these resources by answering your questions and helping you apply to programs.
Cover photo courtesy of Pexel's Pixabay