Grant Description

Requested funds support on-call IT support for our organization and all families to access programming, as well as rehabilitating the Family Center backyard to accommodate small group meetings.

Tracking Metric

Description
Saranam, a transitional living program for homeless families, has continued to remain operational during the COVID-19 crisis to provide families in our transitional living program with a safe home, household/cleaning supplies, adequate food supplies, case management, and educational opportunities. In August we welcomed 10 new families into the program despite the financial challenges we encountered from having fundraising interrupted. Saranam families are especially vulnerable during the pandemic, and Saranam ensures their needs are met. Saranam has adapted programming and developed virtual solutions to connect and support our families during COVID-19. We provide case management several times weekly via phone or Zoom to provide encouragement and support to families, and hold life skills classes, children’s activities, and community meetings virtually via Zoom. Fall semester adult basic education classes for the new cohort are held virtually on Zoom, with four-hour daily time limits. Teachers are available by Zoom for individual student discussions, and we use Google Classrooms as online portals for families to easily access class assignments and materials, and to cultivate a classroom community. We also deliver packages of hard copy materials and relevant handouts for parents and children to work on at home. We have adapted our after exit services virtually to meet the needs of alumni families during social distancing. Our priority is the safety and stability of our families.

Goal
10