Q&A: Nonprofit's Educators Press On Despite COVID-19 Concerns

SANTA CRUZ , CA — Patch is trying to support local organizations by giving them a platform to share their successes and tribulations during the coronavirus pandemic. The following comes from Julie Macecevic of Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center:

Editor's note: These responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

What do you do and how long have you been in business?

Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center (Walnut Avenue) is a 501 (c) 3 public benefit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for women, children, and families in Santa Cruz County for over 85 years and is a strength-based family center. Walnut Avenue seeks to improve the economic, physical, and emotional well-being of the individuals and families we serve.

Our service-providing programs include Early Education Center, Services for Children & Youth, Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Family Support Services, and Community Engagement. Many of the families participating in Walnut Avenue programs are from under-served populations due to poverty, early pregnancy, homelessness, and/or domestic violence.

What challenges have you encountered during the pandemic?

I'd like to highlight our Early Education Center and how undervalued Early Childhood educators are, in general, in our culture. People cannot go back to work without childcare and now we are asking EEC teachers to come to work everyday to allow people to go back to work. Our teachers risk contracting COVID-19 daily and have to trust that the families bringing their children in are taking precautions to keep their family, and therefore, our team safe.

Even in non-COVID-19 times, research shows the real benefits high quality early education has on the trajectory of lives-physical health, mental health, academic achievement. The challenge we face right now is paying Early Educators a rate that truly values the gift they are giving this community. Especially during COVID, these essential workers are putting their lives on the line because of their passion and commitment to their work.

How have you adapted and continued to serve people during this time?

We reopened in-person services in our EEC in June after several months of working entirely online. We have set in place strict policies and procedures to protect our workers and families, so that people can get back to work. We are a subsidized program that specializes in serving low-income families. Most low-income jobs do not have a virtual option. If they do not go to work, they lose their job, can't feed their families, can't pay their rent.

What aspect of your work are you most looking forward to returning to when restrictions are lifted?

Balancing the fear of contracting this illness with the need to work and be paid is taking a toll on front-line workers, psychologically, physically, and spiritually. It is just another indication of how the income gap further disadvantages low-income families.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell readers or customers?

Appreciate early educators, donate to organizations providing high quality early education, advocate for high quality (free or affordable) universal early education for all, and of course-- wear a mask to prevent this illness from spreading in the community so that front line workers don't have to risk their lives to get paid.

How can people get in touch with you and where are you located?

director@wafwc.org