Community Support Fund
Dear Friends,
Our school has always been more than just a place where children come to learn to read, write, and figure. Our learning community is a source of support when times are hard. Whether we are coming together in the Community Room or over Zoom, we are there for each other, for last minute pick ups and play dates when emergency appointments arise, for resources and referrals when a family is in crisis, for the small acts of service that have a big impact on our school, like washing our towels every week or watering the succulents. Every child, every adult, every family plays a critical role in the support network we have built, in the vitality of the community we love.
Our world has changed more quickly than we ever could have imagined. After only seven weeks since the Bay Area counties issued their shelter-in-place orders, we are already seeing the financial impacts of an economy that has ground almost to a halt. Furloughs, closing businesses, reduced hours and wages--all are taking their toll on our friends and loved ones.
Right now, our community, as we know and love it, is in jeopardy, and together, we need to protect it. And to this end, I am proud to announce that our Board of Trustees has approved and seeded the Berkwood Hedge School Community Support FUNd, recognizing what Martin Luther King, Jr. called the Fierce Urgency of Now.
Families currently in our community, who desperately want to stay with us, are experiencing significant financial hardship that places their ability to do so at risk NOW.
New families who have been admitted for next year and were eager to begin their Berkwood Hedge School journey are having to rethink their choices NOW.
Our generous Tuition Assistance allocation, so critical to our values of diversity, inclusion, and excellence, must increase to bolster our community NOW.
Grants from the Community Support FUNd will offset tuition that has become untenable in times of emergency, starting with this one. Grant amounts will be determined through a confidential and thoughtful process by the school’s Tuition Assistance Committee, and will be awarded to current families at risk of leaving the school due to financial hardship caused by the pandemic, and also to new families. Applications will open next week. We will begin distribution as soon as applications are reviewed.
Our intention is to keep our learning community whole through this difficult time--to care for our families and show up for our community that has shown us so much support. We will do everything we can to keep all of you with us. Thanks to the generosity of early donors and the Board of Trustees, $45,000 has already been committed to the Community Support FUNd.
We would like to seed this fund with $100,000 for immediate distribution, but we anticipate the need will be more. We will continue to raise funds as need continues to grow.
Come together and join me and these early donors in holding our community through these challenging times. Make a contribution to the Community Support FUNd, and make a difference in the life of a child. Every gift will help to keep our community together.
Please make a gift today. The time is NOW.
You may make a gift online, or contact Love if you wish to discuss your gift.
Thank you for your support of each other and our school, and thank you for being part of Berkwood Hedge School.
In gratitude,
Love
Berkwood Hedge School is a 501c3 organization. Gifts to Berkwood Hedge School are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. EID # 94-1408159.
