Blog

Every week, America Forward is highlighting a few examples of the vital work being done by our Coalition members to support students, families, educators, workers, elected leaders, advocates, and communities across the country. If your organization has resources, an announcement, or a story that you would like to see included, please send it to america_forward@newprofit.org.

Beyond 12

During the nationwide move to distance learning in response to the COVID-19 crisis, Beyond 12 has continued working to ensure students have the support necessary to maintain and continue their education. Not only have they continued their coaching virtually — expanding services to reach 20,000 more students — they’ve also compiled a COVID-19 Student Resource Guide, featuring information on college campuses, employment, financial aid, food and housing, health, and more, and launched a Student Relief Fund, providing assistance to those post impacted by the sudden financial consequences of the pandemic. 

Acelero Learning 

Acelero Learning has continued serving their communities despite closing their centers. They continue to offer critical resources for families, including multilingual learning and community resources, and for employees, including answers to frequently asked questions regarding work and health. By providing this timely information in response to the COVID-19 crisis, Acelero Learning is working to ensure all members stay informed, up-to-date, and healthy. 

Compass Working Capital 

In response to the pandemic, Compass Working Capital has compiled a range of resources to inform and support community members throughout this crisis. They have set up financial support, including remote financial coaching sessions, information about government programs and loans, tools for managing finances, and more, provided state-specific information hotlines to improve access to community resources, and offered information on food, rent and utilities assistance. 

CURYJ

CURYJ has continued working to support all of the young people and families they serve. In addition to moving their organizing and programming online, they have compiled COVID-19 resources to help their community navigate this crisis. In addition to offering timely and relevant updates via their social media platforms, CURYJ is holding life coaching and participatory defense meetings, providing support for foster care youth, and offering information on food programs and policy work. 

Freedom Project WA

Freedom Project is working to help their community respond to and recover from the COVID-19 crisis from all angles. Not only are they working to fill gaps in emergency housing and household needs, facilitating community connection by offering technical assistance and “Virtual Community Circles,” increasing outreach to amplify COVID-19 resources, and organizing a community response fund — they also provide reentry and family support information. Additionally, they’ve put together racial justice resources, offering information for navigating anti-racism and advocating for social justice. 

GreenLight Fund 

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, GreenLight Fund rapidly transitioned to remote work to protect the health and safety of all employees. Since, they have supported their portfolio organizations, ensuring their continued function and operation and working to leverage “partners, resources and available funding to support portfolio organizations’ innovative COVID-19 initiatives that tackle current, urgent challenges, and to ensure their sustainability” throughout the pandemic. 

iMentor

As schools across the US closed down, iMentor doubled down on virtual support for their mentees. Not only have they continued offering services by transitioning to an online environment and utilizing iMentor’s Emergency Fund to provide immediate financial relief, they also established an emergency fund for staff and worked to connect “staff to mental health supports,” in an effort to help their whole community navigate this crisis. Additionally, in response to national protests for racial equity, iMentor CEO Mike O’Brien compiled a list of anti-racism organizations to donate to and participate in, as well as additional anti-racism resources.