The social workers in our Snowline School District are making a big impact on our community. Their efforts, such as annual clothing giveaways and food distributions, are just a small part of how they make a difference for the students and families within our schools. Social workers Ingrid and Diego recently gave us a closer look at all they do.
What began as a small collection of clothes for children who are homeless or in foster care has grown into what is now known as the Clothing Closet, thanks to donations from district staff. This has afforded them the ability to offer clothing to all students in need and hold annual back-to-school and winter clothing giveaways. This August, the social workers held their second annual back-to-school clothing giveaway, helping more than 100 families in the community.
Beyond providing clothing, the social workers are also committed to addressing another basic need by helping families who face food insecurity. To provide this support, they have created partnerships with Foursquare Church and St. Junipero Serra Catholic Church in Phelan, as well as Victor Valley Christian Church, to provide food for those in need. After collecting the food from the church pantries, they prepare boxes that are available for pickup by families who request them at the enrollment center bungalow located behind Pinon Mesa Middle School. For families unable to make it to the school, the social workers deliver the boxes directly to them.
The social worker team may be small, consisting of just three people, but with the help of the Health and Wellness team and other school staff, they are mighty. Noticing a need to bridge the gap for children entering the school district from other countries, they started the process of creating an acculturation support group to help with the transition to an unfamiliar place.
“We were building the plane as we were flying it,” says Diego, describing the development of what would become a six- to eight-week program implemented in the elementary and high schools within the district.
They connect with the kids by discussing expectations, U.S. child laws, and helping them develop coping skills as they adjust to their new environment. One activity they do is a culture wheel, where students compare how their life was in their home country to how it has changed since coming to the Tri-Community. This helps open the door to conversations about culture shock. At the end of the six- to eight-week program, a celebration is held, and a school counselor is brought in to create a supportive link, providing the kids with a trusted person on campus they can connect with.
“Students who have completed the course have said they feel connected and have a sense of belonging to the school,” recounted Diego.
The social worker team also provides mental health services and short-term therapy for students in need. They have recently started an internship program through California Baptist University, adding three interns to provide additional emotional and social support for students.
When asked what they enjoy most about their job, Ingrid shared, “It’s very rewarding to make even just a small difference in a family’s life.” Diego added, “Helping families in a situation similar to what I was in is very rewarding.” They have even more new projects in the works to continue helping the students and their families within the Snowline School District.
There is still a need for more kids’ clothing and shoe donations. If you would like to donate, items can be dropped off at the enrollment center, located in the bungalows behind Pinon Mesa Middle School. They ask that the clothes be gently used, laundered, and preferably folded. Please do not donate undergarments. Should you find that your child or family is in need of any of the services they provide, please reach out to your child’s teacher or counselor, who will help connect you to the right resources.
