Resilient, Resourceful, and Ready in Imperial County

Vesper Society links arms with leaders in local communities that want to create a healthy future.

Bordering on Mexico, Imperial County is one of the harshest economically disadvantaged regions in the country and the compounded impacts of COVID-19 have been many.  Over a year into this pandemic, we asked Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program (IVROP) to reflect on how COVID-19 has affected its students and what the coming year looks like.

Families have suffered many losses, how has that impacted students?

The COVID-19 outbreak was so severe in Imperial County last May 2020 that Governor Newsom brought in state resources to develop a unified command approach to decompress the hospital system. Positivity rates peaked at 33 percent and 650 patients had to be moved out of Imperial County.

It has been traumatic for the community. Many families lost their loved ones and families have been destabilized. We have seen the achievement gap widen for younger students, vulnerable students, and students that lack family support.  However, time and again the community has shown its resilience by supporting each other.

What did IVROP do to support its students?

One of the earliest tools that we developed was the Virtual Calming Room. It is a space where students find resources and strategies to help navigate difficult times.

Students said they enjoy the Creativity and Coloring activities. One student created his own desktop picture for his laptop. Others have said they love the live animal cameras. Teachers and counselors have made the Virtual Calming Room accessible to their students because it provides social and emotional support.

As schools begin to reopen, IVROP knows that thousands of students and families will need to be supported by a holistic range of services and partnerships with community agencies. Academics, college, and career readiness are important and will need to be supplemented by developmental assets programs.

What about the most vulnerable students?

IVROP continues to develop more virtual resources for teachers and students. Local schools have taken stock of their strengths and weaknesses in supporting all students. Equity and access issues have become more acutely recognized.

The IVROP Community Foundation’s Ready for Life Program will serve 360 students a year for the next five years. Eligible students (ages 14-17) include current or former foster system-involved, justice-involved, runaways, homeless, low income, migrant, at risk for dropping out, expecting or parenting teens, and students attending Title 1 and alternative high schools.

Vesper Society is proud to walk with the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program because they believe in Imperial County, its students, and the community to create opportunities for all students to achieve their career, academic and life goals.