SUPPORT A LEARNING CENTER FOR UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES
Undocumented immigrants have been deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Because we don’t have access to basic necessities like health insurance, unemployment benefits, and federal aid, millions of families have struggled to pay their bills and stay safe.
Now, with online learning for the 2020-21 school year starting in Michigan, many working parents in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti cannot help their children with remote learning or afford care and tutoring services. Children in undocumented and working class families deserve care, support, and supervision this school year, too! While our state government has not taken action to support learning for these families, our community has mobilized to create our own learning center for undocumented families in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
Chip in now to support our grassroots community learning center →
How our Community Learning Center Works
Our community learning center opened on September 8, 2020 and currently supports 24 students, from pre-school age through 9th grade. The goal of our program is to provide a safe, engaging place for children to be while their schools are online only. Supports for our students include help accessing and participating in online classes, access to healthy food and snacks, weekly enrichment programming, and the chance to just be kids and play outside together during breaks.
There is currently a waiting list to join the program. We prioritize on low-income immigrant families whose parents have to return to work and are not able to supervise or support their children during school hours.
The Ann Arbor Community Learning Center has hired one full-time, licensed Montessori teacher and two part-time bilingual assistants. Students are always supervised by minimum of two adults, complying with state-regulated ratios. The program is also supported by a volunteer director who coordinates with teachers and parents to help meet all students’ needs.
We take serious COVID-19 precautions to protect staff and students, including wearing masks; spacing out desks; conducting regular cleaning and air circulation protocols; and spending time outside.
Donate to the Ann Arbor Community Learning Center!
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“When the pandemic started and Ann Arbor Public Schools decided to remain online, families from more privileged backgrounds began to form learning pods. Many opportunities opened up for educators like myself to work with a small group of students at home to help them navigate school.
Instead of taking these offers, I decided to organize my community so that these children can have the same support. In just a few weeks, we’ve seen a huge positive impact for the kids. Now we just need the funds to keep this program going.” — Paula, volunteer director
About Cosecha Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti
Cosecha Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti is part of Movimiento Cosecha, a national immigrant-led movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity, and respect for all undocumented immigrants. We have been organizing in our community since 2018, including a statewide campaign fighting for access to driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants in Michigan. Cosecha Ann Arbor also helps administer Cosecha’s national COVID-19 relief fund for undocumented immigrants. Follow our Facebook page for more information about our work.