Gloria Jean's Coffees, Homewood Science Ctr. Bring Lessons @Home

Gloria Jean’s Coffees in Homewood, IL has brewed up a campaign with the highly-regarded Homewood Science Center to foster summer learning @Home despite COVID-19, announced Executive Director Edie Dobrez.

“The Homewood Science Center is a vital resource to Chicago’s Southland and now an instrument of learning for parents who are engaging their children at kitchen tables during these uncertain times,” said Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld. “We couldn’t be prouder that the Center is filling a void created by the pandemic.”

More than 5,000 PopUp SCIENCE @Home hands-on learning kits have been distributed to families in the south suburbs, free of charge in English and Spanish. The kits feature STEM activities and materials “to spark curiosity and exploration.”

Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, PopUp SCIENCE @Home provides hands-on materials and lessons for children, an especially vital strategy now as parents revisit science through the eyes of their stay-at-home student children.

Dobrez seized the opportunity to build greater awareness through a video campaign funded by Gloria Jean’s Coffees, who in turn supported the initiative designed to empower parents to learn with their children, spark curious learning avenues in tandem and establish life-learning habits.

For Gloria Jean’s Coffees’ part, the retailer can connect with the community while sponsoring significant videos and hand out more learning kits, along with a free “Chiller” drink, while supplies last.

Tapping other resources in Homewood, Gloria Jean’s Coffees commissioned video documentarian Anne Colton to produce the short-form video teases. Colton also produced the instructional videos for the Center. The Homewood Chronicle created the advertising video platform to reach its daily readers and lead them back to the Science Center.

“Maybe it’s becoming cliché that we’re all in this together, but it sure feels that way in Homewood and our surrounding communities,” said Dobrez. “We’re proud that kids love coming to the Center and thrilled that parents can use us as a resource to connect and explore with their own children.

“Some of the video messaging is especially impactful for parents who have trepidations about trying to teach their own children.

“One of the video points out to parents that ‘It’s okay to say you don’t know the answer.’ and that in itself is very powerful for child and parent.”

The Homewood Science Center’s current #keeplearning fundraiser allows for on-line donations and an upcoming auction and free concert Sunday August 2, 2020 at 7 p.m.

Gloria Jean’s Coffees’ owners have been doing their part the last month by offering free masks to drive-thru customers ordering from the assortment of “Chillers” specialty drinks. PPE masks will continued to be offered while supplies last at 183rd and Governors Highway.

Their drive-thru and retail coffee shop in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center expanded its hours – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. - in time for summer.

“Even though we can’t host right now at the Homewood Science Center,” said Dobrez, “we have a lot of programming available.”

For more information, visit www.HomewoodScienceCenter.org