During these challenging and uncertain times, IAR mobilized for rapid response against COVID-19 and its devastating impact. Under the leadership of our Founder, board, volunteers, and mentors we expanded and extended programs and services remotely. In an effort to check on and service some of our neediest participants, we visited many of them in their residence, safely using social distancing techniques and also communicated via mobile telephone with families in crisis intervention. IAR has been working consistently to address the pandemic’s impact while continuing to tackle structural challenges during this crisis.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW

• During COVID-19, IAR developed a Tele-Learning video, for our students, a six-minute screencast for parents and caregivers demonstrating how to navigate the website readworks.org, which is committed to improving reading comprehension and closing the student achievement gap.
• We also laid a basic foundation for our new digital strategy. The curriculum portion of our digital learning strategy places immediate emphasis on students strengthening their basic literacy and math skills, with writing development as a central focus. Ensuring students have a strong command of writing is a priority. Our goals are to encourage our students to become better storytellers, more expressively capture their experiences and struggles, and to ultimately become more effective communicators—all important components in being college and career ready. This new strategy considers the potential shape of a digital platform based on our audience and their needs; addresses curriculum and the learning experience—including facilitators, content creators, and content; and explores what is needed to effectively monitor high-needs student progress and expected outcomes.
• Due to the devastating impact of Covid-19, we are raising funds to support re-opening of IAR programs and services.