During a global pandemic—the likes of which has not been experienced in over 100 years—the stress on children and families living in poverty is significantly compounded. Not only are schools closed, but access to vital services and resources typically provided at schools is now harder to come by. Enter three smart, savvy and longtime leaders in Southern Nevada: Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO, Communities In Schools of Nevada, state affiliate of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization; Kirsten Searer, President of The Public Education Foundation; and Lisa Habighorst, Executive Director of Spread the Word Nevada, a statewide literacy organization. By working together and leaning on a plethora of community partners, they answered the call to find a way to stay connected to students and help students stay connected to learning—particularly students for whom school is a lifeline.
