An Update to The Stewpot’s Children, Youth & Family Programming
BY KRISTIN MERRON | June 18, 2020 Since efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus began triggering shutdowns of public spaces and programs across the city in early March, The Stewpot has had to flex its adaptive muscles to roll with the changes. Children who normally participated in The Stewpot’s Wednesday evening Junior Crew and Venturing Crew and Saturday Kids’ Club programming were suddenly made to stay home, and the parents we serve through these programs were understandably concerned about how these changes would affect their families.
Not wanting to cease programming altogether, the Stewpot staff was challenged in early March to adapt lesson plans and provide families with the proper resources in order to engage with online learning. Collaborating with DISD, The Stewpot was able to find accessible hotspots and technology for those who weren’t equipped with the proper tools to access the web and educational portals. Since digital learning was only being implemented for grades 3 and up, all students received care packages of school supplies and learning materials to complete hands-on assignments at home, along with guidance and support for parents. Some parent programming has been temporarily halted but beginning July 6-30th a fun ZUMBA class will be offered mornings via Zoom and The Stewpot is currently working with NTARUPT to prepare summer afternoon programs aimed at guiding parents on effective communication skills that can build parent-adolescent relationships.
From March through mid-June, Venturing Crew (youth in grades 9-12) continued to meet via Zoom to ensure educational and engagement activities could carry on through the end of the unconventional school year. Modified programming was introduced, including a partnership class hosted by Our Friends Place through which students learned about and discussed grief and coping strategies when faced with the loss of the typical high school senior experience.
In lieu of The Stewpot’s annual graduation celebrations, Children and Youth staff organized a drive-by parade to celebrate the ten class of 2020 graduating seniors. On the morning of June 6th, a caravan of cars made its way to the residences of all ten graduates from Stewpot programs. The students were completely surprised as staff paraded and celebrated with them their first of many achievements. Cars filled with Stewpot staff members delivered “Congratulations,” dropped off baskets of goodies including $20 bills for the 2020 grads, and themed hand-crafted cookies from Bella Bouquet. Youth Coordinator Rafael Dominguez Jr. donated his photography services to capture images of the graduates during the celebrations. Eight NEW scholarships were also given out, adding to the 45 young people - many the first in their family to attend college - currently receiving Stewpot scholarships.
Here are a few words of thanks The Stewpot team received from students and their families following the parade:
"THANK YOU! ¡Muchas Gracias!" –Angel and Alex R. and their mother Margarita
"Thank you guys for everything, please let the rest of the staff know that I appreciate you guys; thank you!" –Sheila E.
"I just want to say thank you for what y'all did" –Michell F.
"Thank you Alma, very unexpected. Thank everyone for me!" –Valerie Z.
"Mil gracias a todos por la visita del sábado, nos agararron completamente por sorpresa. Mil bendiciones" [Translation: Many thanks for the visit on Saturday. You caught us by surprise! Many blessings.] –Sra. Zamarripa
Summertime is typically jam packed with Children and Youth activities - from field trips, to specialty classes, outdoor outings, to summer games and fun with friends. Over the years, The Stewpot Children and Youth summer programs have become a long-standing crowd favorite with the children and families we serve. It goes without saying that this year, summer programming is looking drastically different. Instead of traditional in-person gatherings, kiddos will be participating in two separate two-week long digital summer camps in July. One catered to kids (grades 3rd-7th), and the other two weeks designated for 8th-12th graders. Utilizing previously established relationships from a variety of The Stewpot’s summer partners including Noggin Educational Foundation, NTARUPT, and Our Friends Place; the older students will have the opportunity to participate in virtually-led classes 5 hours per day, 4 days per week. For younger students (2nd grade and below), hands on packets are being prepared and “Camp in a Box” activities are being provided for all elementary-aged students (1st-5th grades). The curriculum and boxes are screen-free, centered on Scripture, and were developed by Ferncliff Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center of Little Rock in partnership with Camp Gilmont who will help pack and ship them.
Kids’ Club summer participants will also have the option of participating in First Presbyterian Church of Dallas’ Virtual Bible Study “Compassion Camp” taking place mornings the week of June 22-26. Children and families will experience a 30-minute age-appropriate small group Zoom session, music, crafts, games, and bible stories shared by FPC Dallas leaders. While major efforts are being made to keep kids learning and engaged throughout summer, The Stewpot recognizes the challenge that comes with child care not being provided, which is traditionally built-in to Stewpot summer programming and offered on-site at the FPC campus. “For many of the children we work with, we help them keep their English skills up over the summer. I can’t imagine them losing that completely, we are trying to make it work with what we have available, providing interaction, education, and a language component, but it’s never the same,” says Suzanne Erickson, Director of Educational and Workforce Programs at The Stewpot. Due to the high level of unpredictability involving the pandemic, plans for fall programming are extremely tentative right now.
“I think the hardest part for everyone in all of this is not having the interactions we’re accustomed to. Fridays at Food Distribution, seeing people’s faces in person, knowing the kids are missing out on the fun events and socialization they would normally have, it’s difficult. Virtual is great for maintaining engagement but it can be complicated, and nothing can replace those in-person connections.
— Suzanne Erickson, Director of Educational and Workforce Programs at The Stewpot
While educational programming for children and youth continues to take shape for the fall, the Family Stabilization program seems to have found its stride. Prior to the COVID-19 emergency, The Stewpot’s monthly food distributions would provide a week's worth of groceries to approximately 100 families whose children participate in Stewpot Children and Youth programs. In response to community need, these distributions have increased to three times per month and now include dedicated slots for any Dallas household in need. In addition to fresh produce and pantry staples, families are now receiving five family-size pre-made heat-and-serve meals so that they can spend less time concerned about putting food on the table, and more time gathering around it. By holding these distributions and providing additional ready meals to community partners to be shared via their networks, the program aims to provide greater food security and budget relief to up to 1,200 households per month.
“We’re seeing the numbers of families in need growing each week. Some are having a hard time because they’ve lost their jobs and a steady source of income. We’ve been working with Client Services to supply basic essentials and assist in helping to pay rent and utility bills for families so that they can remain housed,” says Erickson. “I think the hardest part for everyone in all of this is not having the interactions we’re accustomed to. Fridays at Food Distribution, seeing people’s faces in person, knowing the kids are missing out on the fun events and socialization they would normally have, it’s difficult. Virtual is great for maintaining engagement but it can be complicated, and nothing can replace those in-person connections.”
Traditionally folks learned about The Stewpot’s food distribution through referrals or word of mouth but recently The Stewpot has launched Eventbrite pages and Facebook events to create more awareness about the weekly food offerings. If you are experiencing food insecurity during this time, you can learn more about the next Stewpot food distribution and sign-up to receive assistance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-stewpot-of-first-presbyterian-church-of-dallas-15310408867