As nonprofits across the Bay Area continue to reimagine their work due to COVID-19, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Contra Costa has rolled out a combination of technology and door-to-door service to make sure kids won’t feel isolated or left behind.
Director of Programs Keirstan Faulkner said they’re providing “Project in a Box” deliveries as a hands-on way to bring the club to a child’s home. It includes everything from science to art to sports programs.
“We provide all the materials because a lot of our families can’t purchase the materials on their own,” Faulkner said. “We do one week of fitness, one week of cooking, one week of STEM and one week of art.”
James Boyce plans the STEM content, including the videos which are uploaded to an app called MyFuture.
“We’re identifying the water sheds in our area, the water cycle, identifying how it works and how to keep it clean. That’s the kind of content that we’re working on,” he explained.
Faulkner said so far they’ve been able to deliver boxes to more than 100 homes. She said the use of technology when they can’t be together in person helps maintain social connections.
“A lot of our students are dealing with mental health issues. They need support just learning how to adapt to the environment we’re now in,” she said. “Just making sure they have another person they can count on to be there.”
Even after the pandemic, the MyFuture app will serve as a foundation for a hybrid engagement model, where members can connect with their Club community virtually.
If you know someone who is working to keep us safe during the coronavirus pandemic and would like to nominate them as a KCBS Radio Difference Maker, email differencemakers@kcbsradio.com.
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