MOSTe

COVID-19 has hit the communities we serve particularly hard. The youth in our programs are  primarily girls of color from low-income backgrounds, and their families have seen economic  and health challenges in the wake of the pandemic. MOSTe has worked diligently to support  our scholars under current conditions and ensure they continue on their path to college and  graduation despite the increased obstacles. We are extremely grateful to IECA for the generous  grant that enabled us to hold our virtual Culmination event last June and to respond to  students’ additional needs. 

During this school year we have been holding more frequent virtual events for mixed age  groups across each month, instead of monthly workshops at each middle school and on a  college campus. In addition to our regular goals of facilitating social-emotional learning and  developing a college-going identity, we have been addressing new needs as they come up  during this unprecedented time, like ensuring students have the tech they need to stay connected to schoolwork and our programs, offering extra social and emotional development opportunities with a focus on mental wellness, providing free body-positive yoga and dance  classes with partners, creating virtual social outlets, and connecting families with resources  when needed.  

Multiple new studies point to the pandemic negatively impacting the mental health—and as a result  the academic performance—of many students. In response, this year we have placed an even  greater focus on mental health alongside our typical programming, helping girls to manage stress,  build resilience techniques, identify emotions and needs, and develop similar tools to thrive in the  challenging current environment. Given these difficulties, we’re especially proud to report that our  entire Class of 2020 enrolled in college last fall, and that the Class of 2021 are now being  accepted to selective colleges and are on track to matriculate as well. 

We look forward to being in a strong position to resume in-person programming when that  becomes advisable. Despite all the obstacles, we believe it is more important than ever to  ensure that our promising Scholars are supported as they continue to work toward their college  goals. 

Amy Ludwig
Executive Director