During a typical school year, Heart House students are behind their peers academically because of the specific challenges faced by the refugee population (years spent in refugee camps, resettlement in a new country, past trauma, mental health, poverty) and the fact that most are English Language Learners. Meanwhile, many of their parents do not have a solid grasp of the English language and are unable to provide the academic support that their children need. This is why families rely on Heart House. Donors support provides the tools that refugee children need to cope with these challenges, and the individualized support they need to succeed academically.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Heart House has been forced to suspend regular programming. However, students are still expected to participate in distance education through the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Because many parents work in essential businesses such as grocery stores and food service, several students are home alone during the day. This means that students are lacking academic assistance and social support during a critical time.

There is a strong concern that this disruption in the school year, the lack of individualized support, the stress caused by social isolation, and other factors such as food insecurity may cause students to drift even further behind in school. Thanks to the community’s support, Heart House was able to quickly develop and begin offering virtual services in April. These services include daily check-in calls with families, small group virtual learning sessions with students, and individual tutoring. Staff members are providing academic assistance as well as mental health and social-emotional support.

DISD recently announced that summer school will be virtual and may continue into the fall. Heart House will follow suit and offer a virtual program through the summer. We will prepare for the possibility of a virtual fall program as well.