Virtual Learning Centers Update
As Executive Director at the Bethlehem Center, I take great pride in working alongside a team that is so dedicated to the youth of our community and continuously seeks solutions for any gaps during these uncertain times. Our education department works tirelessly, not because they have to but because they want to. They love the children in our community and have the ultimate desire to help them succeed in any way that they can.
At the beginning of October 2020, the Bethlehem Center opened our Virtual Learning Center in partnership with Hamilton County Schools to provide a safe learning space for students.
These learning centers provide remote students with a small group learning environment and access to our Bethlehem Center teachers five days a week. Thanks to financial support from the CARES Act we were able to establish a solid program and three learning sites in the city, serving over 75 youth. Although the CARES funding expired on December 31st, we believe that there’s still a need for our community to have virtual learning access due to the positive impact on our students and their families. Moving into 2021, we decided to keep our centers open even though we currently do not have the budget to do so.
Our mission at the Bethlehem Center states that "We are God's people empowering inner-city youth and families to lead responsible lives by providing discipleship, education, and leadership development." By keeping our three centers open, we are continuing to execute our mission by doing our part to ensure our youth have access to the resources they need to stay academically alert and engaged. Parents can rest assured that, while at our learning centers, their children are safe and are completing their online school work.
Written By:
Reginald F. Smith II
Executive Director of the Bethlehem Center
