GREAT FUTURES ARE STILL POSSIBLE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Page 1

INCREASED SUPPORT TO

YOUTH AND FAMILIES

Page 2

FAMILY FOOD

DISTRIBUTION

Page 3

VIRTUAL LEARNING

Page 4

LOOKING AHEAD

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

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Along with the rest of the world, we’ve been closely

monitoring the evolving situation with COVID-19. These are

confusing, anxiety-filled and uncertain times for all of us. It

has brought uncertainty and disruption to the youth and

families we serve. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern

Illinois’ top priority has not changed: the health and safety of

the youth we serve and the important work continues, it just

looks a little different during this time of uneasiness and

uncertainty. We have stepped up to make sure that “those

who need us most” continue to get services to feed the

bodies, minds, and soul of Club members and families.

There will be more challenges for our youth when our Blue

Doors swing open to greet them. Learning loss, anxiety and

fears impacting their emotional health, isolation that may

have led to undisclosed abuse and neglect, social isolation

and confusion as to what behaviors are acceptable and not

acceptable after this pandemic. We are and will continue

‘Doing Whatever it Takes’ to build better futures and are

excited to have the community support behind us and the

kids as we continue to be the constant in the lives of our

youth.

Respectfully Yours,

Tina Carpenter, CEO

COVID-19 IMPACT REPORT May 2020

Increased Support to Youth and Families

The safety of our kids and families is ALWAYS our number one priority. BGCSI is doing

everything possible to keep our kids, staff, and volunteers protected from the spread of

COVID-19. During this time, we continue to monitor needs in our community and are

increasing support for our youth and families as they now face additional challenges with

school closures, work disruptions, and potential illness and health concerns. We are

activating the following supports:

• Youth and Family Check–Ins. BGCSI Social

Workers and Youth Development Professionals

continue to connect with our families to make

sure they have the support they need during this

difficult time with weekly phone calls.

• Distribution of Educational Material and

Curriculum Packets. BGCSI distributes

educational material to promote academic

support and reduce learning loss during school

closures.

• Age-Level Books Distributed. In order to

encourage reading and literacy, books are

distributed throughout the week during dinner

pick-up.

2,075 Check-In Calls

conducted

March 16 - May 15.

1,250 + Books & Curriculum

Packets Distributed

March 16 - May 15.

Family Food Distribution

In partnership with Carbondale Community

High School and local restaurants, BGCSI

offers free lunches and dinners Monday -

Friday and free dinners on Saturday. This

Family Food Distribution Program helps

address the increased food insecurities

youth and families are facing with work

disruptions and school closures caused by

the COVID - 19 pandemic. This Food

Distribution Program began on March 16 and

has continued to increase in numbers as the

Shelter at Home Order continues.

8,900 Meals distributed

March 16 - May 15.

LOCAL RESTAURANT PARTNERS

The Family Food Distribution Program would not be possible without the support of these local

restaurants who rolled up their sleeves and partnered with BGCSI to provide meals for

distribution:

Bandanas Barbecue

Cristaudos

Cozy Cake Cafe

Culver’s of Carbondale

Dominos

Don Sol

Emma & Arnie’s

Fazolis

Hunan

Jimmy John’s

Italian Village

Kroger

Little Caesars

McAlister’s Deli

McDonald’s of Carbondale

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Naomi Ariel Catering

One Hot Cookie

Panera Bread

Pita Alley

Pizza Hut

Popeye’s Chicken

Primos Pizza

Rise Above It Bakery

Southern Illinois Collaborative

Kitchen

Subway of Carbondale

Taco Bell

Thai Taste

Tres Hombres

Virtual Learning

BGCSI launched a virtual learning platform on March 16. Each week staff members

prepared organized opportunities to welcome and engage youth and families with daily

health and wellness activities, Book Club readings, STEAM (Science, Technology,

Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities, nightly story time, and teen engagement

activities. After the Governor extended the mandated stay-at-home order and canceled

school for the rest of the academic school year, BGCSI launched Zoom Tutoring for K-8

and High School, and Live Virtual Programming.

12,500+ Minutes of virtual

programming

watched on

Facebook from

March 16 - May 15.

30 Hours of virtual

programming provided

each week on

Facebook and Zoom.

Looking Ahead

BGCSI continues to review opportunities to reopen in

June. How this will look is in review. All procedures for

the reopening of the Club will follow the

recommendations made by the Board Safety

Committee, CDC, and local Health Department to

assure the safety of the youth we serve and our staff.

How You Can Help

While social distancing measures are currently limiting volunteer engagement at the

Club, please consider supporting BGCSI in the following ways:

• Make a monetary donation to support Club activities.

• Donate hygiene and cleaning supplies, school

supplies, games, and activities for Club youth.

• Sew or donate masks for Club members and

staff.

• Promote and share our organization on social

media to build awareness.

• Share employment resources for families

• Write encouraging notes to our youth or Club

staff.

To make an in-kind donation of any of the items listed above, please contact

Kassie Taylor at ktaylor@bgcsi.org to arrange a drop-off time at our Springer Street site.

GIVE NOW!

• Online: www.bgcsi.org/

imagine-the-possibilities

• By Mail:

BGCSI

PO Box 3092

Carbondale IL 62902

Connect With Us

/boysandgirlsclubsofsouthernillinois @BGCsouthernIL