Because of this crisis, most of our children are isolated, scared, bored, and not getting enough exercise or education. Even those in the best circumstances need more support and most of our children are not experiencing the best circumstances.
Parents are trying to meet the needs of their children to the extent they’re able, but they need support. It takes a village to raise a child and research shows that children need positive interactions with multiple caring adults. Now with schools and other institutions closed, the need for KSC coaches as mentors is greater than ever.
Many families desperately need support to meet their basic needs. While there are a lot of supports available, the information is constantly changing and it is difficult to navigate and access the support that’s available. We can use our existing relationships and trust built with families to identify families in need and point them to services that are available whether it’s internet access, food, educational services, financial relief etc.
Our youth leaders and young adult and parent coaches want to connect with each other and with our children. They are change-makers who just need a forum to continue making that positive change in the community. They also need to be able to connect with and support each other.
Our paid coaches are teens and young adults from the community. Part of the intentional design of all our programs is to prioritize hiring from that population because of the amazing work they’re able to do as community leaders and also because the coaching job can help them make ends meet as they start or advance their careers. By continuing our programming during this crisis we are maintaining that support for those coaches.
Our Action Plan To Meet Our Community’s Needs During This Crisis:
Outreach to KSC families to assess their needs and direct them to a broad range of available resources. Areas include: internet access, food access, home-schooling educational resources, financial assistance programs, public health protocols, access to medical care, and home fitness resources.
Order soccer balls and books online and have them delivered directly to the homes of children who don’t already have them.
Team meetings via Zoom for travel, recreational, and after-school teams. Focus on social and emotional well being and support as well as checking in about fitness and soccer skill individual goals and progress.
Instagram Live sessions for teens, adults, and the community. Sessions will include fitness, soccer skills, and discussions.
Youtube Live sessions for younger children. Sessions will include fun movement activities, soccer skills, and reading books to the children.
Using social media to share and celebrate positive perspectives and accomplishments (see this example) and to give encouragement and examples for soccer sessions and other constructive things to do while at home (see this example).
Meetings for all KSC coaches via Zoom to connect with each other while strategizing on how to better support our children.
Guidance and support for coaches to utilize online professional development tools.
Organize and coordinate a KSC mutual aid working group made up of those members, coaches, and supporters who have already expressed a desire to do more to directly support other members who are in desperate need.
