Returning Home
After two long years, the APCH campus is abuzz once again as we welcome our members back Home
It was no easy decision to temporarily close our campus back in March of 2020 (a date that feels like a lifetime ago at this point), but thanks to some incredible collaboration between all of our dedicated staff, despite our physical doors closing, we were able to transport the magic of A Place Called Home directly to our members through laptops, smartphones, and tablets (oh my!). Our staff came up with inventive ways to engage our young people including virtual art galleries, museum tours, performances, and more! You name it, we did it!
Photo by Thomas Hammond https://thomashammondphoto.com/
Now, as we reopen our physical doors, we are excited to move forward in this new chapter. This month we kicked off our phased return plan and welcomed our teen and middle school members back to campus for in-person programming, and it was emotional to say the least! Friends who hadn’t seen each other in person since the temporary shutdown were reunited, staff shared surprised looks as members returned two years older (and taller!), and a hopeful excitement filled the air–we’re finally Home again.
“It truly has been an exciting homecoming for us, I can’t tell who is more excited, the staff or the members!” shared Ana Maria Perez-Paulino, APCH Director of Program Operations. “Seeing the members once again is such a joy, two years have passed since we were last on campus, but at the same time it feels just as it did before; our classrooms and hallways are full of energy once more.”
Not only is this a time of reemergence and recovery, but it’s a time of growth and evolution too. As you’ve probably heard, we’re preparing to embark on a Technology Transformation that will help us provide next-level support and resources to our members. CEO Jonathan Zeichner remarks, “One thing the pandemic has made very clear is that in order for the young people we work with to participate and contribute fully in the 21st Century economy, it’s imperative that they have access to and understanding of the same technology as their counterparts in Santa Monica and Brentwood. Through this initiative, APCH will equip and prepare our members to overcome generational poverty and go on to pursue their highest aspirations.”
Photo by Thomas Hammond https://thomashammondphoto.com/
We have been through a lot together throughout the past two years, and amidst it all, our APCH family has been crucial to our continued success. As we forge ahead, we need your support to provide our youth and families with the tools, resources, and personalized support they need to thrive.
Our basic operations costs have increased as we maintain COVID protocol to ensure the safety of everyone that sets foot on our campus–air filtration, testing, and PPE distribution–and we are still operating our weekly Family Resource Depot to address the food insecurity that continues to affect our families.
The circumstances of our world, our city, and our neighborhood are ever changing, but one thing remains consistent–our commitment to the youth and families we serve. As we reopen our doors and enter this new chapter, your support will ensure that we remain a stable resource for our members as we welcome them Home.
Click HERE to donate.
