Reach turned 15 in February. It's our Quince, so to speak. A coming of age.
For those of you that are familiar with Reach Potential Movement in its first decade (2008-2018) you probably remember we focused on underserved students in Title 1 schools or schools with high percentages of students on free and reduced lunch. The good news, we still do. RPM's progression as an organization to do even more for these students and their households was a natural and organic one.
A desire to do more, led to RPM 's work being deepened in 2019. We began working with McKinney Vento students (unstably housed students). With this shift in focus, we pivoted to working with many untraditionally housed families; those living in shelters, vehicles, RVS and those living 2, 3, 4+ families to an apartment. Yes, in the Silicon Valley!
When COVID-19 radically interrupted life around the world RPM was positioned to help these families, literally survive. There were no paychecks for day laborers or undocumented individuals. No economic payouts in the first 9 months, no vacation hours to cash out, no 401(k)s to fall back on.
These families food and essential needs were being met by our services; they could eat, they didn't have to starve, or wonder how they were going to purchase diapers, formula or toilet paper. We believe we not only helped households survive but also helped society by reducing potential crimes out of desperation. Many primary safety nets shut down but RPM's staff were boots on the ground, and this outward expression of care for the least amongst us positioned us for exponential growth. The staff and RPM volunteers are true heroes. They ran to help people in need in the face of COVID-19. No doors were shut! In fact our days and hours increased.
The organization grew from serving 50 families a month prior to COVID-19, to serving over 2,000 families a week during the peak of COVID-19, to regularly serving 2,500 individuals per month.
We have been focused on providing food, spiritual development, clothing, shelter, social services, and other necessities of life for the economically disadvantaged individuals, in an effort to help them survive while continuing to address academic insecurity.
What we have recognized more than ever is that poverty alleviation requires much more than providing services but doing life together & walking alongside households in need so that they may lead and thrive. What does that look like ? We have some amazing plans in the works and recognize it's going to require A LOT of time, resources, patience and human capital; it's capacity building time for us!
Remaining "as is", is not an option if we want to see households get out of poverty.
RPM delivers Hope, right to where people are at! Join us in caring for OUR neighbors. We cannot do this work alone, nor were we ever intended to. Through your time, treasures and talents we will see our community thrive.
Do you want to create change with us and see families thrive?
Get plugged in! e-mail Malia Pires, Executive Director of Reach SV at malia@rpmovement.org
Malia started off as a volunteer in 2009, and little by little began to deepen her involvement in the organization she now leads. She'd love to connect.
We know time is a precious & valuable commodity and we all have limited amounts of it, if you are not able to volunteer your time with us your donation today will allow us to continue delivering Hope. See the donate button below. Thank you and God bless you.
For up to date info, please see our social media accounts.
