Fostering Youth Independence (FYI) and the City of Santa Clarita have launched a new program called “The Study Place,” allowing foster youth to have a dedicated space for online learning during the coronavirus crisis, officials said.

On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, FYI students now have a dedicated space at Christ Lutheran Church to focus on their online learning and get the assistance they need, while comfortably observing social distancing guidelines.

Thanks to the funding grant from the City, FYI has been able to hire a dedicated staff member, Anna Novaes, to oversee the program and assist the students. Lunch is provided at the beginning of each session, as “it is hard to concentrate when you’re hungry.”

“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,” read a statement from FYI.

The concept for The Study Place originated with a Girl Scout Gold Award project by Madi Marks which provided homework help, tutoring, and snacks twice weekly from February 2019 until the COVID-19 shutdown in March of this year.

“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,” said Carolyn Olsen, executive director of FYI.

The youth 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, according to officials.

“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,” said Olsen.

See Related: College Of The Canyons Announces Online Instruction For Spring 2021 Semester

On Monday,  COC officials announced that remote learning is set to continue through the end of the Spring 2021 semester. The Study Place is scheduled to 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,” said Olsen.  “Study Place is an essential tool to equip foster youth to complete post-secondary education and become successful, independent adults.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at The Study Place as a tutor or homework helper, can contact Anna at anovaes@fyifosteryouth.org.

Ed. Note: Anna Novaes is an employee of FYI, not Christ Lutheran Church.

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