It’s About Community – Alpha Parent Center Provides Desks for Students

By Martha Sessums, President, ACE

For many students, dealing with virtual learning is hard enough. Add the fact that many homes are small and finding a good place to be online and do homework can make the learning experience even more difficult.

But one of the nice things that has come out of the pandemic is our recognition that we are all in this together. We are a community. And communities help and support their members as much as they can.

Virtual learning using a desk.

One way that the Alpha community helped is with providing wooden desks to some students that were in particular space need. Many students share a small space with the entire family so learning is done on couches, beds or the floor. Plus, most of the students have siblings and sometimes work-from-home parents, so space gets very tight. Where does a student get comfortable to learn?

“We saw how much students were struggling and finding a reasonable place to do the learning work was one issue,” said Alejandro Espinoza, Parent Learning Center Lead. “Thanks to a colleague, we made a connection with a community member who was building desks to support students engaging in virtual learning.”

Alpha obtained 10 desks to give to students. The Alpha community identified families that were in need and gave five to middle or high school students and another five to elementary school students.

Yoda says one student immediately decorated his desk.

“The students loved them, and one student immediately decorated his new desk,” said Espinoza. “The desks were really nice in the homes because having an extra desk really helped the families.”

The desk makers didn’t have expertise in wood working or building desks, but they saw a need and wanted to support families in the community.

“We admire and respect that attitude,” said Espinoza.

So does ACE. It’s about community, and we admire and respect those that work hard to support their community, whether it’s nearby or worldwide.

Nothing like learning with a desk.