As a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, schools across Nevada have shut down in-person learning. This is a delicate time for students, who no longer have the ability to learn in a classroom setting. Some of our most vulnerable students and their families will be affected by this economic downturn the earliest, they will be hit the hardest, and the resulting impacts will last the longest.
Many of these students participate in the Jobs for Nevadaās Graduates (J4NG) program, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring students reach high school graduation and secure employment or go on to higher education. This program is critical, now more than ever, to provide these vulnerable students with the tools they need to succeed.
J4NG is taking steps to keep the nearly 3,600 Nevada students they serve engaged with the program:
All 60 J4NG Specialists are in weekly contact with each of the students that they serve, and are available to assist them on an as-needed basis. For example, David Hill, Specialist at Desert Pines, is picking up and delivering food to students who do not have transportation and cannot go to drive-by school distribution points. Efforts like these are being replicated across our network.
J4NG is offering students supportive services with needs arising from the crisis including assistance with food, bus passes, mortgage/rent and technology needs to access virtual learning.Ā
J4NG is assisting its students in overcoming technological barriers to learning and are actively seeking individual solutions to each studentās needs in partnership with businesses.Ā For example, Q&D Construction in Reno donated 10 computers to J4NG for distribution to students and their families.
J4NG is working with their fourteen partner school districts, Three Square, Communities in Schools, Project 150 and others to provide a network of support in this crisis.
Student learning at J4NG continues virtually and remotely, with career pathways and workplace readiness skills of particular importance to our graduating seniors. With virtual lessons for some and paper lessons for others, J4NG is ensuring that vital student learning continues across our state network.