In January, mom was promoted to Assistant Manager. She was so excited, she called me to share the good news. In March, mom was laid off due to COVID-19. It was heartbreaking. A single mom with three children, she was struggling to put food on the table.

Our Community Partnership School team at Howard Bishop Middle School helped mom secure a laptop and Wi-Fi to keep her kids connected through distance learning. When she found a temp job, her heart sank when she learned the hours were at the same time as her kids’ classes. She wouldn’t be able to help her kids when they had questions or needed support.

All three children were scheduled for classes at the same time – meaning only one would be able to attend class. Juggling it all felt overwhelming … impossible.

Despite all of these challenges mom worked hard to find every resource to help her kids succeed. She reached out to the Community Partnership School, affectionately known as “The Nest” to ask for assistance with food and other resources.

Through the Community Partnership School program at Howard Bishop Middle School, the family received food bags, mental health counseling and academic support.

Mom was very receptive to receiving help and she stayed in contact to keep us updated as things became better or even when she had a setback. Because Howard Bishop is a Community Partnership School, we were able to provide resources when she shared her needs. It was a team effort. The administration at Howard Bishop came out of their offices, rolled up their sleeves and pitched in. With everyone’s support, all three kids finished their school year successfully.

LaToya Jennings-Lopez, CHS Community Partnership School Director of Howard Bishop.