BRHP Collaboration with YMCA Provides Academic Support to Families In-Need Throughout Baltimore Region

In September, BRHP and the Y in Central Maryland (the Y) launched a collaboration that has provided access to academic support at the Y Academic Support Centers at no cost to students of families receiving rental assistance from the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program throughout the region. The Y Academic Support Centers, which provide in-person educational support to students in over 25 schools and select Y centers across Central Maryland, allow parents to drop off their children to participate in their school’s virtual learning program and receive in-person academic support from Y associates.

The collaboration between the organizations comes at a time when more than 400,000 Marylanders lack access to broadband internet, and students are required to participate in remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration has served students of the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County and will continue to serve additional families on a rolling basis.

“The disparities we are witnessing in access to digital learning tools among marginalized communities are only widening during this public health crisis, with many students finding difficulty participating in their remote education,” said Adria Crutchfield, executive director of BRHP. “We are delighted to partner with The Y to bridge this resource gap for families, many of which are made up of parents who are essential workers. Those parents cannot be home to provide the valuable guidance and oversight to their kids needing assistance with online learning, and this partnership allows those students the opportunity to participate fully and succeed in their remote education.”

The Y allows students to participate at any Y Academic Support Center, regardless of where they live or where they attend school. The centers are available for single full days, weekly full days, and weekly half days. Students benefit from a safe structured environment where they can focus on their schoolwork, complete their assignments, and get help from Y associates. The program is for students ages 5-12.

“We are so appreciative of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership. They are enabling a vitally important service for families which allows parents to work with peace of mind as their children receive safe, in-person support to successfully complete virtual schoolwork. It’s an excellent partnership and we are grateful for their leadership,” said John Hoey, president and CEO of the Y in Central Maryland.

For more information on how BRHP clients can access Y Academic Support Centers, email BRHP’s managing director of program administration, Sheila Proano, at sproano@brhp.org.  

For more information on the Y Academic Support Centers:  https://ymaryland.org/programs/academicsupportcenters

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