Local foster children receive educational help thanks to Crescent City Rotary Club

For many foster children in the community, keeping up with educational demands is a challenge. Without the proper equipment, it can be close to impossible.

That’s where the Crescent City Rotary Club is stepping in to help.

Last week, the club provided a trio of Chromebooks, 90 headphones and 90 computer mouses for foster children to help them navigate and succeed in distance learning programs during the Covid-19 crisis.

Working with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), the Rotary club was able to help more than 90 students during a difficult time. The Del Norte Unified School District and the county’s Health and Human Service Department also played key roles in the project.

“Many foster parents have very low incomes and the purchase of educational supplies will do much to provide needed distance learning support,” said John Menaugh, the club’s president.

Statewide, school districts are facing a 15 percent reduction in operating budgets, meaning there is limited funds available for distance learning. The Rotary gifts help fill the gap that many foster children struggle to overcome.

The 90 computer mouses will help younger children navigate the computer screen, while the headphones will allow students to better concentrate is busy, often noisy households.

“Our club has a long history of helping our community’s young people,” Menaugh said. “It also has worked with CASA on several projects. Helping foster children on their educational journey seemed a natural fit.”