Why supporting youth development professionals right now is critical

Play At the Core (PATC) is stepping up to provide a supportive space for youth development leaders, practitioners, and caregivers. These individuals are on the front lines, providing critical support to the children and communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

Traditionally, PATC’s program partners are school or community-based. These programs provide youth with crucial opportunities to build supportive relationships, develop new skills, and form their identities in a safe space outside of the home.

With the closing of schools, community centers, and public spaces, the pandemic has limited students’ access to these safe spaces and heightened senses of disconnection and isolation. Programs have had to pivot overnight, finding new ways to engage their youth remotely, and navigating many unfamiliar challenges along the way.

Building digital community to strengthen youth development work

On April 1st, PATC kicked off the first of its bi-weekly “Community Huddles,” with the goal to provide a consistent space to connect, support, and inspire youth development professionals. Participants from around the world joined Zoom to share about their “COVID-19 Superpowers” (newly-found sources of strength and inspiration in their work) and learn how programs are innovating to sustain and strengthen their work at this most important time.

While the “Community Huddles” were initially intended to strengthen the community when so many are feeling isolated, PATC founder Jared Carroll hopes that they will last well-beyond the Coronavirus pandemic. “Relationships matter deeply,” he said, “and by connecting to share what is inspiring us, and the ways that we are creatively meeting this challenge, the whole field can be better able to support their kids, their teams, and one another.”