PASE Updates | May 2020
Dear PASE family, friends, and supporters,
I hope this note finds you and your families safe and healthy. The afterschool field in New York City is facing an incredibly challenging time as the communities served by afterschool programs have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. I have been inspired by the stories of strength, kindness, courage, flexibility, and innovation from organizations, both large and small, throughout our city as they strive to meet the needs of children and families.
PASE’s virtual doors remain open as we continue to be a support for the afterschool field. We have been working remotely since March 13 and, like so many, we have quickly become Zoom proficient and rely on video conferencing to not only stay connected to one another, but to also ensure that the afterschool field is supported, connected, and unified during this difficult time. Specifically, our recent activities have included:
- Weekly Zoom meetings, which we are calling "Take a Break with PASE" where we gather our community, share challenges, and provide a space for colleagues across the city to share their learnings, successes, and best practices. Each session is welcoming between 150 and 300 attendees and we've found that they are not only productive spaces for learning and resource sharing, but also a much-needed connection and catharsis for educators trying to navigate these difficult times.
- Introducing a calendar of virtual offerings, developing new trainings, webinars, and meetings designed to meet the unique and immediate needs of the afterschool community during this difficult time. Over the past few weeks, we have offered sessions on Supervising Staff Remotely; Setting up and Facilitating a Large Zoom Meeting; and a panel discussion on Navigating Funder Relationships during COVID-19; and recently launched a series of sessions focused specifically on grief and trauma-informed care.
- Continuing many of our pre-existing programs virtually, reframing conversations and sessions through a new COVID-response lens. These programs include Emerging Leaders Mentoring, Executive Leadership Series for organizations working with the Mayor’s Office to Prevent Gun Violence, Strengthening Organizational STEM Identity, Fostering Financial Literacy for Youth, and Strengthening College Persistence.
- With the approaching summer months, we are amplifying the efforts of advocates and collaborating with local afterschool providers and intermediaries to reimagine summer programming with virtual internships, skills building projects, and community service.
Thank you again for all that you do to support the children of New York City. Your dedication and commitment to a New York City that provides for and lifts up the children in our communities is inspiring, critically important, and deeply appreciated.
With continued wishes for your health and safety -- Alison
