How ELPASO Supports our Community: 2020 in Review

What a year it was!  We were all asked to demonstrate our strength and resilience again and again in 2020. Our ELPASO families have needed to support their students in online learning, often while managing a loss of income and all of the challenges that creates (scarcity for rent, food, internet). 
In addition to the economic impact, our Latino community has felt the health impacts of the pandemic acutely - with many cases of Covid, and even some resulting fatalities.

Photo by Dana Romanoff

Despite the very real challenges that our families have faced, they’ve continued to persevere in their desire to support their children’s education. ​

​Research shows that the achievement gap between students of color and their white peers is becoming exacerbated due to the pandemic and the online learning challenges.  What has historically been a gap is becoming a chasm, with direct long term effects on our Latino students and our larger economy.
 
ELPASO has worked diligently to provide resources and support to curb this potentially devastating impact on our Latino students’ educational futures.
 
Here’s what ELPASO is doing to support Boulder County’s children and families during these unprecedented times:

• We’ve continued our EXITO and VOZ programs, pivoting to provide these trainings in an online format.  We’ve had exceptional turnout and engagement, and have been able to improve our parents’ technical literacy skills through offering our programs virtually.

• We created a tutoring program with 1:1 volunteer support for more than 45 ELPASO students, providing the critical individual attention that our students need to participate in online learning.  Thank you to Cornerstone Church, Unitarian Church in Lafayette and CU’s law students for their time and commitment to that work.  ELPASO is a community organization, and believes we’re stronger together.

​“When we began with online school I was so worried about how I was going to support my kids in their classes. I don't want them to get behind. More than anything I was ready to learn so my kids could learn. ELPASO provided us a tutor. It’s really important that someone other than their mother (or father) supports them individually. The tutor has given a lot of support and confidence to my kids, allowing them to express themselves and be heard.”  
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Lupita, Graduate of ELPASO EXITO and leader in VOZ

• We’ve partnered with Boulder County Impact, a program within Boulder County Housing and Human Services to provide 90 computers and wifi hotspots to our ELPASO families.  In addition, ELPASO is teaching parents how to use technology and best support their children with on-line learning - a skill that will support both the parents and their children beyond the pandemic.

 

• ELPASO was proud to organize the fifth annual LATINX Parent Summit, “Cúspide 2020” in support of Latinx parents in Boulder County. This year’s event was a huge success, with 100 attendees gathering on Zoom over a weekend this Fall.  We hosted expert presenters from around the world, all en español.  They addressed mental health in the time of Covid-19, home learning, discrimination in the Latinx community, financial education, how to start a business, LGBTQ, domestic violence, and many other topics of concern for our families. The participation, engagement, and ongoing training from these presenters will have a lasting impact on our attendees and beyond.

 
 
“Our parents belong to this community. It’s important to have information delivered to them in the language they best understand.” - Tere Garcia

• ELPASO has connected our families with school district leadership in order to have their voices be heard in the challenges our families are facing with home learning. Superintendents Rob Anderson of BVSD and Don Haddad of St. Vrain visited the homes of ELPASO families with Richard Garcia to have a better understanding of the barriers our Latino families often face.

 
As we close out this wild year, we appreciate your continued support and participation
in the ELPASO community - in our community. 
 
If you are able to donate to this crucial work to support all kids and families in accessing the educational opportunities they deserve, we invite you to make a contribution here:
Donate
Here’s to continuing our important work in a healthier new year, 
Tere Garcia
 
P.S. PARENTING INSPIRATION! 
We all could use some parenting inspiration! ELPASO EXITO has an archive of simple and fun learning activities to do with your kids at home. Videos are frequently updated and posted on Facebook  Be sure to Like and follow along! 

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