Digital divide wider than expected for underprivileged Carolina kids

When the coronavirus crisis hit Charlotte, the United Way of Central Carolinas and Foundation For The Carolinas partnered to launch the COVID-19 Response Fund.

The fund supports a range of nonprofits, assisting people most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Importantly, this fund will help not just those who get sick, but also those who are economically impacted, such as families of students who cannot afford the educational materials and supplies needed for remote learning.

One of the recipients was Charlotte Community Services Association @ First Baptist-West, which received $40,000.

The organization used the grant to purchase software and fund teacher salaries for its SMART Tutoring Program, a structured initiative designed to help students who are either below their grade level in reading, struggling with literacy or English learners.

“What we know is that the digital divide is alive and kicking and families still need laptops, internet service and help with computer basics,” said Patsy Burkins, executive director of Charlotte Community Services Association @ First Baptist-West. “The front-end technological needs have been greater than we initially envisioned.”

But sometimes, becoming fully aware of the problem is the start to real change.

Fostering academic and fine arts excellence, the nonprofit offers community-based summer, after-school and gang prevention services to Charlotte area youth.

Burkins said the pandemic has opened up new areas of community service for the organization.

“We have started providing grab-and-go lunches for seniors and kids,” Burkins added. “What we didn’t expect was how high the demand for hot lunches would be among seniors, and we currently are providing 250 to 300 meals a day Monday through Thursday.”

The organization operates on the same schedule as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and, like many, is wondering what the school structure for the fall will look like.

“When Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are closed, we are closed,” Burkins said. “Uncertainty about how and when students will return to school has a direct impact on our out-of-school operations and funding.”

Since 1997, in partnership with Classroom Central and Communities in Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the WSOC-TV 9 School Tools program has collected school supplies, which are then distributed free to students in grades K-12.

For many families, the needs of the home sometimes outweigh needs at school. When a family must choose between buying enough food for dinner or paying the power bill, the pressure of purchasing school supplies is an added expense that families can’t afford.

CLICK HERE TO FIND A DONATION LOCATION NEAR YOU.

A 9 School Tools financial donation program is in place with different levels of giving that will support the needs of Classroom Central. Donors can equate their monetary donation to what can be supplied by Classroom Central.

Here are some of the giving levels:

• A donation of $9 will help provide homework supplies for students.
• A donation of $25 will help fill a student’s backpack with school supplies.
• A donation of $50 will supply a teacher with essential school items.
• A donation of $100 will supply an entire class with STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) kits.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION TO CLASSROOM CENTRAL AND 9 SCHOOL TOOLS.

Learn more about 9 School Tools at www.9SchoolTools.com.

If you have an inspiring story to share, email Sinead Taylor, WSOC-TV community affairs specialist, at Sinead.Taylor@wsoc-tv.com.

Cox Media Group