PRC Responds to Covid-19/ Insert in the Fall 2020 Newsletter

PRC Responds to Covid-19 PRC entered our adapted services response mode in mid-March, and since then, we’ve found new and creative ways to serve even more neighbors during this time. We have offered food pantry operations at both our Wheaton and Westmont locations as well as St. Andrews in West Chicago and we continue to provide on-site, no-contact emergency food and financial assistance. We adapted our food distribution process by delivering pre-packaged food to parked cars. Volunteers help to meet specific food needs,

when possible while minimizing in-person contact.

Since March, the jobs program has continued to provide services virtually to our clients. Art, computer and literacy classes have transitioned to online programs, and have provided classes to over 1,400 students.

Ahead, you will read about the tremendous resiliency of the PRC community and how it has adapted over these last few months. Thank you for partnering with us so we can continue supporting our neighbors in this time of great need.

Art

The art program came up with creative ways to reach neighbors, providing classes to 61 children by offering weekly Zoom art classes in June and July. Art volunteers helped us create videos which we sent to our Kid’s Art partner sites to supplement their summer programs.

Adults have also taken part in a variety of virtual Zoom art classes including watercolor, art as self-care and open studio time. The students love pulling out their art materials!

PRC art volunteers continue to amaze with their dedication to the program by leading Zoom art classes, planning for future virtual programming and making art videos. With their help, we provided over 250 hours of creativity to DuPage neighbors.

Summer Science

PRC Art & Literacy teams, teachers, partners & volunteers were hard at work transitioning our traditionally on-site program, Summer Science into an e-learning experience. Thanks to their hard work and innovation, we provided an immersive, interactive summer science AND art program for 69 students in first through sixth grade.

We worked with three school districts and offered three, twoweek sessions to students. Off-site program supply distributions insured students had everything needed to fully engage in this experience.

Our Adult Learning and Literacy and Art departments collaborated to introduce art enrichment into Summer Science programming.

The Kid’s Art Team guided students through various art projects.

By adding art to our Summer Science Program, we were able to weave creativity and critical thinking together.

We are proud to have served 69 students and their families for a total of 584 interactive learning hours.

Adult Learning And Literacy

The Literacy Department is excited to offer virtual English Conversation Circles, One-on-one English Language and High School Equivalency tutoring, Spanish Classes, Creative Writing Workshops, and soon, an advanced level Health Education and Literacy (HEAL) class. HEAL creates familiarity with the healthcare system so new learners can take control of their health.

Conversation Circles provide English learners with opportunities to practice their speaking and listening skills in a friendly and informal online environment.

23 students are currently taking part in these growing groups and they are incredibly successful thanks to the commitment and creativity of our tutors.

Tutors have adapted and embraced whatever platform works for their oneon-one match. We currently have 22 virtual matches, with plans to add more.

Job Assistance

The PRC Job Assistance team did not miss a beat during the last six months! On Thursday March 12 we hosted our Fifth annual Job Fair and on Monday, March 16, everything changed.

Our amazing team of Job Coaches, Resume Writers and Jobs program volunteers stepped up and switched their in-person job coaching and library workshops to a 100% virtual platform.

Who knew that Zoom would become a new word we say every day? Over the past six months we have recorded 417 coach/client consultations. Some meetings are held on the phone and some via Zoom. Coaches continue to assist with resumes, interview preparation and job applications.

Our clients have practiced Zoom interviewing skills that have led to successful interviews and job offers. One client said, “The employer with whom I had an interview has asked me to join their organization. Thank you very much for all the help and support that you have given me. I would not have had confidence if you were not with me.”

Volunteers

750 Volunteers - 290 of them, new - have volunteered with PRC! Our new and experienced volunteers alike have adjusted easily to our changing needs, helping however is needed during this pandemic. Volunteers were flexible and understanding as the scheduling system and safety protocols evolved.

No matter where, when, or how they lend a hand, our volunteers continue to make a difference in the community. From tutoring clients through Zoom to distributing food onsite in the food pantries, holding a socially distanced school supply giveaway to writing cards

PRC Neighbors Reflect on the Times

We’re happy to share our Community Resilience Project - a collection of writing and art about our personal experiences living through the pandemic.

As we collected the pieces, we found a common theme: People needed to stay connected. According to our authors and artists, during the pandemic people are struggling with the present situation but are also reflecting on what is truly important.

We hope you enjoy it. A big thank you to PRC supporters, clients and staff for their contributions. www.peoplesrc.org/crp2020

of encouragement for clients from home, our volunteers have stepped up to show the community that PRC is here to offer support to those who need it. Our volunteers are awesome!

Kaitlyn Radoha

What do high school students do when they’re quarantined?

For her 16th birthday, Westmont’s Kaitlyn Radoha decided to forgo gifts. Instead, she asked friends and family to donate on her Facebook page. She was hoping to raise $1,600 for People’s Resource Center, but by the time she was finished, she raised double that.

“When Covid-19 struck, I saw that people were laid off and fired left and right; many were left without a source of stable income,” she explained. “I felt deeply for these people and wanted to help.”

The decision to help neighbors was not made lightly. She and her mom Jennifer brainstormed to find the best way to spread the word about the struggle families were facing.

As a student at Westmont Junior High, Kaitlyn volunteered at PRC and was familiar with its work. “When I first volunteered at PRC, I liked that I could directly see the people I was helping and that I could help people in my own backyard, so to speak. I chose to support People’s Resource Center because I knew it would enact immediate good.”

Kaitlyn, a Timothy Christian High School junior, and her mom decided that a fundraiser on Facebook would be a great way to help those in the community. Over the course of three weeks, she watched her goal double.

“I am so thankful to my generous donors,” said Kaitlyn. “I truly hope this can help a lot of families in these difficult and challenging times.”

Hinsdale Central’s Annie Morel made masks for PRC!

Annie had taken a sewing class at the high school and was so interested in pursuing the craft that she asked her grandma for a sewing machine last Christmas. In December, Grandma came through.

“On Christmas, I told my family I would be interested in sewing projects,” Annie said. “My grandma sent me a clipping of how to make face masks. I tried and it seemed to work out so I took it from there.”

Once school closed, the Clarendon Hills sophomore bought fabric and made masks to protect her family. But she wanted to do more.

“My mom used to volunteer at PRC and told me she had gotten an e-mail saying it was looking for masks.

“I thought PRC was the perfect place to give them,” she explained. “I had been there a few times helping my mom. I thought it was a good environment and helped a lot of people.”

It takes Annie one-hour to make a mask but she says “it’s fun.”

“I’m trying my best to make about 3 – 4 masks every other day. My plan is to donate about 10 a week.

“We are doing our best to find more fabric and ribbon as well. I should be able to make another batch.”

PRC appreciates the work Annie and our PRC supporters are doing to supply us with masks.

If you’d like to donate masks or need more information, please e-mail azurita@peoplesrc.org. For more information about People’s Resource Center, go to peoplesrc.org.