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:
- Educational Resources
- Wi-Fi, Internet Access, Utility Services
- Computer Distribution Application
- Low-Cost Computer For Qualified Individuals
- Health and Wellness Service
- Food Services
- Employment & Financial Support Resources
- Unemployment
- Resources to Help You Recover from a Lost Job
- Housing Resources
- Diaper Banks
- COVID FAQs
Educational Resources
http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/home/
https://www.spellingcity.com/spelling-games-vocabulary-games.html#
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/play/
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/
https://collabornation.net/register/sdzk12
https://sdpl.idm.oclc.org/login?
https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/elibrary
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKDtJY5E3Lb1Y1yoP8EbYm8i8pKUECBehFYN_-e14HFZZd_A/viewform
SDUSD Distance Learning Technical Support Line
- For computer/device-related issues
- 619-732-1400
- Hours of operation: 8 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday
SDUSD Family Support Line
- For internet related concerns and/or support
- 619-260-2460, press option 1
- Hours of operation: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday
- Hotspots are distributed by the District.
Wi-Fi, Internet Access, Utility Services
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2sAcDfjq2u_BcQNBDRl_A
https://www.internetessentials.com/ https://lifehacker.com/comcast-is-offering-60-days-of-free-internet-for-low-in-1842312439
Computer Distribution Application
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdM826Sm1Q0-vo0KB19dfcx09GiP2csZnOw7SFXBvhbh6vvAQ/viewform
Low-Cost Computers For Qualified Individuals
https://sdfutures.org/for-individuals/
Health and Wellness Services
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/coping-with-coronavirus-anxiety-2020031219183
https://www.psycom.net/coronavirus-anxiety-how-to-prepare-not-panic/
https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/coronavirus-anxiety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQcxDIDJDIs
https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/03/16/7-meditation-tips-to-help-combat-covid-19-anxiety/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x4rnydKANm4lRYeGUipIXKfYz00vmS9W/view
Food Services
https://www.sdcoe.net/news/Pages/20-03-13-student-food-service-during-district-closures.aspx
https://feedingsandiego.org/need-help/food-distributions/
http://www.ebtproject.ca.gov/Clients/calfreshrmp.html
Food distribution sites in San Diego Unified School District:
- Cesar Chavez Elementary – 1404 S 40th St, San Diego
- Cherokee Point Elementary – 3735 38th St, San Diego
- Clark Middle – 4388 Thorn St, San Diego
- Foster Elementary – 6550 51st St, San Diego
- Hoover High School – 4474 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego
- Ibarra Elementary – 4877 Orange Ave, San Diego
- Oak Park Elementary – 2606 54th St, San Diego
Employment & Financial Support Resources
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm
Unemployment
https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/
Housing Resources
https://www.housingsandiego.org/covid19-resources-for-affordable-housing
Disability Insurance
https://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/am_i_eligible_for_di_benefits.htm
https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_DI_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm
Paid Family Leave
https://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/Am_I_Eligible_for_PFL_Benefits.htm
https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_PFL_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm
Paid Sick Leave
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/paid_sick_leave.htm
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/HowToFileWageClaim.htm
Workers’ Compensation
https://www.dir.ca.gov/InjuredWorkerGuidebook/InjuredWorkerGuidebook.html
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/FileAClaim.htm
Employee Rights Center
Resources for domestic workers
https://membership.domesticworkers.org/coronavirus/
Diaper Banks
https://my211.force.com/s/search#keyword=diaper%20distribution%20site&sortby=relevancy
https://sandiegofoodbank.org/programs/diaper-bank-program/
COVID FAQs