Blog

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, America Forward Coalition organizations are working tirelessly to connect students, families, educators, workers, elected leaders, and advocates with critical tools, information, and resources.  Every week, we’ll be highlighting a few examples of the vitally important work being done by the members of the America Forward Coalition. If your organization has resources, an announcement, or a story that you would like to see included, please send it to america_forward@newprofit.org.

Educators for Excellence: Providing resources for educators 

As schools wrap up a semester of distance learning, educators are already looking ahead at ways to re-engage students throughout the summer and fall. Educators for Excellence understands the vital importance of supporting educators as they work to deliver quality education — meeting existing achievement standards and closing widening learning gaps brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. To help, Educators for Excellence curated a list of resources for educators, featuring lessons, activities, best practices, information on distance learning, and more. 

Encore.org: Fellows supporting frontline organizations 

Encore.org’s Fellowship Program, which connects skilled professionals with years of experience to nonprofit organizations, has been especially impactful during the COVID-19 crisis. Encore Fellows across America provide capacity and support to teams in need of additional bandwidth, offering critical assistance to organizations working on the frontlines of this crisis to meet the urgent needs of communities, families, and young people. 

Exalt Youth: Serving students and graduates virtually 

Exalt has continued to provide vital services for its young people — including skill development, individualized support, and other critical resources — throughout the COVID-19 crisis, overcoming distance challenges by transitioning quickly and efficiently to a fully virtual model. To ensure their students and graduates are able to continue their programming, they have provided internet hot spots and laptops, worked to solidify virtual participation, and achieved 90% youth engagement with their curriculum during this difficult time.

Millennial Action Project: Working to protect voting

Millennial Action Project (MAP) has been working to prepare for the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis; in particular, when it comes to voting. To prevent a forced and strenuous choice between health and safety and civic action, MAP has partnered with Unite America Institute to engage legislators on remote voting options and work to ensure that all citizens have access to safe and responsible alternatives to in-person voting in this year’s elections. 

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: Providing webinar resources for educators

In an effort to help teachers adjust to and overcome challenges brought about by distance learning, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards launched, “Teachers Helping Teachers: Core Connections Webinar Series.” The virtual events have been held consistently throughout the COVID-19 crisis by teachers for fellow educators on a variety of topics, cultivating connections and community, answering key questions, and offering best practices and expertise. You can find links to the webinars here.   

National Center for Learning and Disabilities (NCLD): Supporting students and educators in special education

The transition to distance learning has been a tough and stressful one for students across the country, especially for those who struggle with learning disabilities. To help, the National Center for Learning and Disabilities created the Educating All Learners Alliance. An online hub of information, the alliance is dedicated to offering equitable resources, tools, expertise, and more to support students and educators in special education as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis. 

Public Allies: Leveraging fellowship program to support nonprofits

Nonprofit organizations are playing a crucial role in the response to and recovery from COVID-19 – serving communities, families, and individuals who are both on the frontlines and most impacted by this crisis. To aid these efforts, Public Allies has leveraged the national presence of its fellowship program, utilizing its fellows to help nonprofits across the country access and navigate COVID-19 relief programs and financial aid.