While the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly refocused our day-to-day operations, it has not altered our long-term goals and mission. In late March, Ocean Discovery, like many, suspended our regularly scheduled programming. Within a matter of days, we pivoted and began modified operations in order to provide immediate services to City Heights Community members. As we continue our efforts, and providing resources in direct response to our community’s needs, we remain grateful to those who have contributed during this most uncertain moment in time. We need your support now more than ever and ask you to consider a gift – of any size – to support this work.

Resources available 3-5pm, Monday-Friday, at our Living Lab, located at 4255 Thorn Street:

Free daily meals: Through our partnership with Feeding San Diego, we are able to provide daily, healthy dinners to-go for the City Heights community.
Free school and science supplies: As families come to receive their healthy meals, they are able to pick up age-appropriate educational activities (designed for Pre-K through 8) to support distance learning. We distribute both basic educational supplies like pencils, paper, markers, and rulers as well as items that spark joy like hand lenses and stickers. In addition, students receive packets of activity worksheets to foster literacy, math, and science skills.

Virtual resources:

Technology trainings on YouTube: We have developed a series of trainings on our YouTube channel (since we know most families use YouTube on their phones) that will ensure our students can get set up online for success. The videos are being complimented with one-on-one trainings for families who need the highest degree of support.

In the face of the pandemic, we envision our work, and our path forward in the following stages:

Stage 1: Rapid crisis response to address critical needs of student and families including provision of STEM-to-go supplies, one-on-one mentoring through virtual platforms, and technology training for students to get online and learning.

Stage 2: Launch programs to accommodate online learning and/or physical distancing. Our partner teachers and families have expressed that their children desperately need science activities to spark their desire to learn and academic help provided by their Ocean Discovery mentors.

Stage 3: Do more than just “return to normal”. Before COVID-19 took hold, our students and families were being excluded from opportunities to pull themselves and their families out of the cycle of poverty. The lack of opportunity is now heightened. We are preparing a suite of robust programming to maximize the numbers of students served and increase program impacts as soon as we are able.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

We know that this is a very difficult time for our community. While we continue to provide meals, mentoring, and STEM to Go educational packets at the Living Lab every M-F from 3pm to 5pm, we also wanted to share with you a list of resources that might fill a need. Below you’ll find links to:

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Educational Resources

SDUSD Distance Learning Technical Support Line

SDUSD Family Support Line

Wi-Fi, Internet Access, Utility Services

Computer Distribution Application

Low-Cost Computers For Qualified Individuals

Health and Wellness Services

Food Services

Food distribution sites in San Diego Unified School District:

Employment & Financial Support Resources

Unemployment

Housing Resources

Disability Insurance

Paid Family Leave

Paid Sick Leave

Workers’ Compensation

Employee Rights Center

Resources for domestic workers

Diaper Banks

COVID FAQs

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