COVID-19 Program Updates

Job Training Support Groups by Ariella Bloch, Job Training Admissions & Care Coordinator

It was difficult to understand and process our “new normal” as COVID-19 restrictions began in March. When our Job Training Program (JTP) and partner schools’ vocational programs were put on hold, we began offering virtual support groups to help our JTP students cope with the unknowns surrounding COVID-19. Because the pandemic has limited human interaction and caused some people to feel unsafe leaving their homes, we wanted to help our students avoid falling into a negative head space. Hosting virtual support groups via Zoom has connected our JTP students with Boca Helping Hands and past students so that they don’t feel so isolated and alone, helped them create attainable goals so that they continue to feel successful during this challenging time, and has provided a platform to discuss current feelings or issues they may be facing.

Learning Virtually from Anywhere by Trina Chin Cheong, Director of Programs

Due to COVID-19, we’ve now shifted our in-person Job Training Program (JTP) to operate virtually. As we’ve become more comfortable with these modified operations, we’ve discovered we have a lot more flexibility in both the Phase 1 Job Readiness program (now taking place via Zoom sessions) and the Phase 2 vocational programs (many now offered virtually through our partner schools). Moving online has shown us that the varied class times provided by virtual classes allow more clients to benefit from the JTP, even given the new Internet connectivity requirements. We are now exploring recording our Job Readiness sessions so that students can view these sessions at their convenience within a specified timeframe. More flexibility in participation times and locations will allow BHH to assist more people in our communities at large, including expanding our reach to the underserved communities to our north. 

Virtual Mentorship by Trina Chin Cheong, Director of Programs

From March 15 through July 28, we facilitated 45 virtual job mentor appointments. While we only started offering virtual appointments out of necessity due to COVID-19, we will likely continue to offer them permanently, since they provide more flexibility for both mentors and clients. Mentors previously had to sign up for regular, four-hour volunteer shifts at our Boca Raton Resource Center but now are able to take appointments anytime, from anywhere. Mentees previously had to work around their existing job schedules and other commitments to find time to meet during normal business hours. With virtual appointments, the pool of potential mentors and mentees have both grown, giving us more opportunities to help clients become employed. 

ESOL Update by Tom Groendyke, ESOL Volunteer

Before closing our doors in March, we were hosting up to three different professional development and life skills classes every week for our clients. All but one was canceled due to COVID-19 - but the ongoing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class is thriving, thanks to going virtual! We began hosting virtual Conversation Café classes every Friday and recently – due to growing demand and an attempt to accommodate participants’ schedules – we expanded to include a “Tuesday Café.” 

Since March, two ESOL students have obtained jobs thanks to the self-confidence gained from attending. As students become more comfortable with their English, the level of confidence shown is truly remarkable, and a number of students have begun having English conversations with each other outside of the Café. Our team of volunteers makes the small group experience work smoothly, which encourages maximum participation by the students. Instructors and students are not quite ready to return to in-person classes, so the small group method will be used for full virtual classes moving forward.

New Health Voucher Representative

Despite the pandemic, we have continued to offer health services via our partnership with Genesis Community Health. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am – 12 pm, Asnald Nelfrard, MSW Behavioral Health Therapist, walks the food distribution car line at our Boca Raton location, making introductions, sharing health and wellness materials, and distributing medical, dental, and behavioral health vouchers to qualifying Palm Beach County clients.