Here’s an update on our Education Assistance program launch date. We will be planning to launch officially on Tues. 10/27 and then on Fri. 11/6. This will allow us to avoid conflicts with Halloween and Election Day, and then the following Tues. 11/10, we will begin regular Tues/Fri tutoring days from 12-4pm.
The internet situation has been an unresolved headache still, and we’re still waiting on Mediacom to install new Internet service at the UHCC building. For the meantime we will be trying to make it work with some wireless hotspots that have been provided for us, so we can at least consistently access the student’s homework that way for tutoring. We’ve also had the delays of some positive COVID-19 cases in our community, including myself, so we’ve been waiting for the required quarantine time to pass to make sure there aren't any active infections.
I’m still looking for volunteers, so if you can begin volunteering on those days, starting 10/27 and 11/6, let me know so I can organize our volunteer schedule to make sure we have people available on each day we’re operating. Pray that we get enough consistent volunteers so we’ll be able to adequately help all the students. We will have the free school lunches available from 11-12pm before tutoring at 12-4pm, and then open reading and pickup time from 4-5pm while students wait to get picked up.
In case you missed it, the Register published an article highlighting us and others who are actively working to help the students from vulnerable communities. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/investigations/readers-watchdog/2020/10/16/refugee-immigrant-students-need-help-pandemic-struggling-iowa/5936892002
Let me know if you have any questions for us, and feel free to pass any info on for others who may be interested to volunteer or donate. Continue to pray for volunteers, support, and protection from sickness for all those involved.
