Three public agencies have partnered to ensure that families in the city’s public housing communities have the technical tools and resources to ensure effective daily virtual learning for their children.

Ambassadors from the Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building are joining Richmond Public Schools and the Virginia Health Department in launching the Virtual Learning Project. Each school day, a community ambassador known as a “Community Connector” will check in with households and students living in Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority housing to ensure they are prepared for virtual learning.

The ambassadors will offer support to parents and engage and assist students with access to RPS resources, including online programming, meal distribution and tutoring sessions.

“Considering the expansive network of support the city, school district and nonprofit community offer, sometimes the most valuable resource for families is a trusted navigator,” Mayor Levar M. Stoney stated.

“This program will employ neighbors to point families in the right direction and keep children engaged.”

Since the beginning of RPS’ virtual school year, community ambassadors have distributed about 1,000 desk and chair sets to students for dedicated workspace at home so they can focus on their schoolwork.

The distribution has benefited families in the city’s six public housing complexes, as well as families living in Southwood Apartments, Old Midlothian Mobile Home Community, participants in the Office of Community Wealth Building programs and child care programs at Mount Olivet Church and Blacktop Kings and Queens.