The Family Wellness Check-In Program, implemented by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) in mid-March, has yielded valuable information for the nonprofit to better assist Club families during the COVID-19 health crisis. BGCGH staff began checking in with Club families via phone calls the week of March 16, focusing on immediate needs related to shelter, food and medical care. To date, 5,241 families have been contacted, with more than 1,000 families to be called in the coming week.

Although BGCGH has temporarily suspended all in-person programming that brings kids together in groups, the organization is still providing services to the greater Houston community. While the service delivery model has changed, supporting families will continue to be a priority. The Wellness Check-In Program is one of several important initiatives launched during the pandemic.

During the check-in calls, data was collected, in which BGCGH learned that:

Parents continue to express concern about school closures and the associated learning loss.

Most respondents expressed a need for out-of-school time activities and wonder when clubs will resume.

More than 1 out of 4 parents/guardians shared their gratitude for the food pantries hosted by BGCGH but are still worried about putting food on the table for the duration of the stay-at-home order.

More than any other sentiment, the families were thankful for the call and that staff members checked in on them.

“This valuable information about what our families need and how they are coping has been instructive on how we are doing and what else we might address,” says Kevin Hattery, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. “In most cases, school closures and the need for food were top concerns, so we know our altered programming is making a difference, including drive-thru food pantries, ON DEMAND Club Experience (virtual learning) and Hunger Not Impossible for teens.”

Hattery noted that BGCGH is working hard to meet the current challenges presented by the pandemic and the many more that lie ahead, especially as some service providers are forced to close or scale back. “We have a responsibility and a commitment to our more than 26,000 kids, teens, families, and staff to ensure that basic needs are met over the coming weeks and beyond.”

In addition to new programs and services to meet Club members’ needs, BGCGH sends regular e-blasts to its constituents covering COVID 19-related topics, including how to talk with children about coronavirus, how to handle stress in children and teens and balancing students’ distance learning with parents working from home. Valuable information is also posted regularly on the website at www.bgcgh.org.