Funding hope: Nonprofit connecting families to pandemic relief

(HOUSTON) — No one ever said raising kids was easy. Raising twin teenage boys, who are active overachievers craving social interaction during a pandemic? That’s a real challenge.

But for Shondra Adams, mother of rising Alief Hastings High School freshmen Caleb and Caden, it’s all been made more difficult by circumstances beyond her control. Her hours have been slashed, and she’s working split shifts on opposite sides of town to keep her boys happy, healthy and fed. Thanks to a grant from Harris County and Communities In Schools of Houston, though, things are looking up for her family.

Adams received $1,500 from Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS)—a nonprofit that partners with education leaders and community organizations to support students across Greater Houston in their times of need. Theirs was one of more than 500 families to receive funds from CIS as part of the nonprofit’s $750,000 grant from the Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund. Harris County established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide much-needed relief to Harris County residents most impacted by the pandemic.

“My goal with this money is to find a stable, nice environment for us to move to,” Adams said. “I always tell my kids, ‘With different things that might happen in your life, just because you’re at a certain point, doesn’t mean you have to stay there.’ I attribute everything to CIS.”

Derrick Bryant is Caleb and Caden’s CIS student support specialist from Olle Middle School. He helped secure the funds for them and two other families at Olle.

“All of these parents are in similar situations with overachieving students who just need a safe, stable living situation,” Bryant said. “All of them are trying to move into more stable environments with less problems.”

Caleb and Caden, 14, have been involved with CIS of Houston since third grade and still stay in touch with their student support specialists from Best Elementary and Klentzman Intermediate. They’ve developed a special bond with Bryant, though—their mentor for the past two years who calls them only by nicknames. There’s “Big Boy,” Caden—the athletic one who loves sports, PE, math and Boys Club—and Caleb, also known as “Toot Toot Beep Beep,” who is into debate, STEM programs, Advanced Placement classes and volunteering.

As the twins prepare to enter high school, they’re already trying to think of ways to go back and see Bryant. Lucky for them, they have another student support specialist waiting at Hastings to continue surrounding them with support and doing whatever it takes to break down barriers to their success.

“It’s hard right now. They miss school, and they miss being around friends and teachers, and especially Mr. Bryant,” Adams said. “My kids tell Mr. Bryant things they don’t tell me. He’s been that support link when I needed extra instruction for them, materials for school and food when we’ve gone through hard times. And he’s been a tremendous male role model for them.”

The $30 million Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund, which is administered by Greater Houston Community Foundation, aims to strategically serve a large number of the most vulnerable individuals and families—in particular, county residents who may not be eligible for other COVID-related funding or assistance. Half of the funds were disbursed to local nonprofits, like CIS, and the other half are being distributed to eligible applicants. The public application period is closed.

CIS of Houston is accepting donations from the public to their COVID-19 Response Fund, which was set up to help more families during the pandemic.