The Harold Colbert Jones Memorial Community Center has been an essential part of the fabric of Chicago Heights since it opened its doors in 1917.
Generations of the residents have flocked to the Center on the city's east side to take advantage of programs in education, finance, English-language proficiency, and summer enrichment activities.
Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic restricting on-site learning, the Center has added to that legacy by opening its doors to students of Chicago Heights School District 170 to assist in the Enhanced Remote Learning (ERL) process.
Jones Center, fully cognizant of the social distancing and other COVID-19 guidelines, realized that District 170 was most likely to begin the 20-21 academic year implementing remote learning protocols.
"We suspected that many families would face tough choices concerning the school year," said Jones Center Executive Director, Cheryl Roop.
"We issued a parent survey that proved we were right. Many of our parents reported that they worked during the school day or did not feel capable of helping their students with technology and content, among other issues."
"I realized that the Center needed to get involved in assisting our families in this important issue. So, with the full support of our Board of Directors who greenlighted the project, we created the Jones Center's Enhanced Remote Learning Program to support the students," Roop continued.
The cost-free program runs from Monday through Friday from 7:30 am – 3:00 pm and currently hosts students in grades 1 – 8 from Garfield, Kennedy, Lincoln-Gavin, and Wilson Schools. The Center also hired an additional staff member to concentrate exclusively on students from the district's new Middle School. CHSD170 supplies breakfast and lunch for the students.
Belinda Lowry, already working at the Jones Center managing food service, quickly changed roles to oversee Jones Center's ERL Program.
"I applaud the efforts being made by our classroom teachers to facilitate learning with the technology available and with varying degrees of support from the home," Lowry said.
Concerned that the program's logistical and technical aspects would burden the Center's facilities, Lowry reached out to Morgan Li, a local business, who generously donated 30 desk shields to enhance student safety.
“We are most grateful for the generosity shown by the Morgan Li Company that has done much to aid the efficacy of the Enhanced Remote Learning Program at the Jones Center,” said CHSD170 Superintendent Tom Amadio.
“Morgan Li’s commitment to helping our students in this trying time is a wonderful example of a business concern giving back to the people of its community.”
With most immediate concerns addressed, the Center reconfigured its rooms and equipment and upgraded its broadband capacity to afford students secure and stable Wi-Fi access.
Mary Kay Entsminger, CHSD170's Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, was delighted to acknowledge the Center's efforts.
"We are grateful to Cheryl, Belinda, the Jones Center Board of Directors, and everyone associated with the Jones ERL program for their commitment to helping our students navigate the uncharted waters of this new school year."
"This program, like so many that have preceded it, is but another example of the Jones Memorial Community Center's dedication to the Chicago Heights community."
In summarizing the ERL program, Roop acknowledged that the experience is a work in progress.
"Although it has been a challenging few weeks since school started, our roster is stabilizing," Roop said.
"We have extended an invitation to other students whose registration is pending. Any parents interested in learning about the program can review our Application Page at the bottom of our website at www.jonescenter.org. Although applying does not guarantee enrollment, we will do everything possible to serve families from CHSD170 in need of this service."