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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowWith Marion County schools preparing to close because of rising COVID-19 cases, The Mind Trust on Friday said planned to open 22 new “community learning sites” for students and their families.
The education-focused not-for-profit said it would spend $207,000 to fund the operation of the sites, which will be open from Nov. 30 (the date by which schools must start virtual instruction) through Jan. 15. They are expected to serve more than 800 students in grades K-12.
The Mind Trust also funded community learning sites in August, when several Marion County schools began the year virtually.
The sites serve as hubs where small groups of students are provided weekday virtual learning supervision and support at no cost to families.
The sites are run in partnership with Indianapolis churches and community centers.
“The Mind Trust is proud to work with our incredible community partners to support Indianapolis students and families as they face continued challenges as a result of the pandemic,” Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust, said in written comments. “Community Learning Sites are our collective response to ensure as many students as possible have access to a safe, productive learning environment without putting financial strain on their families. We are grateful for those who have contributed to keep these sites free to families, and we ask for continued support to sustain this effort for our city’s students.”
The sites:
• Anna Brochhausen School 88, operated by Edna Martin Christian Center
• Brookside Community Development Corp.
• Brookside School 54, operated by John H. Boner Community Center
• Christamore House
• Cornerstone Lutheran Church, operated by Shepherd Community Center
• Crossroads AME Church
• Eclectic Soul Voices Corp.
• Edna Martin Christian Center
• Finish Line Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis
• Hawthorne Community Center
• Keenan-Stahl Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis
• Kids Inc, operated by Shepherd Community Center
• LeGore Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis
• Lilly Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis
• New Direction Church
• Nikki Blaine Learning Center at Chaney Microlearning Center
• Ralph Waldo Emerson School 58, operated by Shepherd Community Center
• The Reset Center
• Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School, operated by John H. Boner Community Center
• Westside Missionary Baptist Church
• Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis
• Witherspoon Presbyterian Church
Hours at the sites will vary by location, and sites may be closed during winter break. While families do not need to pay any fees to participate, they do need to register with the site that works best for them to ensure sites are able to follow social distancing guidelines. To register, visit communitylearningsite.org.
Breakfast and lunch will be served daily through a partnership with Second Helpings.
Site partners were selected based on the organization’s interest in participation, capacity to quickly implement programming, location in high-need areas and available funding.
Site partners will focus their efforts on serving students within the Indianapolis Public Schools district boundaries, no matter what type of school they attend, but participation isn’t limited to only IPS students.
The Mind Trust has spent to date more than $485,000 on the sites. Community members or organizations that want to support the effort to increase the number of sites and childcare support for families can visit themindtrust.org/donate.
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