The New Study Space

Thanks to a generous grant from the City of Santa Clarita, FYI has launched a new program called “The Study Place.” On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, FYI students now have a dedicated space to focus on their online learning and get the assistance they need. Christ Lutheran Church has provided a large venue where we can comfortably observe social distancing guidelines, and we have a dedicated staff member, Anna Novaes, to oversee the program and assist the students. Because it’s hard to concentrate when you’re hungry, lunch is provided at the beginning of each session.
The concept for The Study Place originated with Madi Marks’ Girl Scout Gold Award project, which provided homework help, tutoring, and snacks twice weekly from February 2019 until the COVID-19 shutdown in March of this year. The need for a dedicated study area became more critical when all of our youth were forced to transition to online learning. Most foster youth do not have a suitable place to study at home, and other locations such as The Learning Center at College of the Canyons (COC), local libraries, and even Starbucks have become unavailable.
The need became personal when one of FYI’s youth dropped all of his spring classes at COC due to the transition to online instruction. Living in a small apartment with 4 other people, he had nowhere to sit, connect to his online classes, and focus on learning. He was encouraged by FYI staff to enroll in a summer class at COC and use FYI’s office to do his coursework. Using FYI’s computer and WiFi service twice a week, he successfully completed his class! He gained confidence and is currently enrolled in two classes at COC for the fall semester. After seeing the impact a dedicated learning space made for one student, we were compelled to find a way to offer this to all of FYI’s students.
Yesterday, COC officials announced that remote learning will continue through the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Fortunately, The Study Place will be open and available to serve students through next June.
FYI is grateful to the City of Santa Clarita for their ongoing support, a family foundation (who wishes to remain anonymous) for providing funds for items not covered by the City grant, and to Christ Lutheran Church for providing the venue. The Study Place is an essential tool to equip foster youth to complete a post-secondary education and become successful, independent adults!
If you are interested in volunteering at The Study Place as a tutor or homework helper, please contact Anna at anovaes@fyifosteryouth.org.