'Resource Center' continues to serve Franklin High students
What started as a simple list of local community resources on a sheet of paper – created by Franklin High School (FHS) Social Worker Jed McClean, LSSW, about four years ago – has turned into and office – and also a website – now called the "Franklin Resource Center".
"Last year I had our social work interns compile all the information we had, regarding community resources, into spreadsheets – which then became our Franklin Community Resource website," McClean told THE BEE. "This website is updated often, is accessible for any student or family in the Franklin neighborhood and community, and shows many the resources that are specific to Inner Southeast Portland FHS families."
The school's Social Work Office also doubles as a clothing and hygiene item resource area, McClean explained. "We've received grant funding from our PTSA and Alumni donors, with which we purchase and distribute shoes, warm coats, basic clothing items, hygiene products, and even some school supplies and backpacks. In the past few years we've typically distributed more than 500 items to students in need of clothing and hygiene products."
"This year during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic – more so than any other year I have been at Franklin High School – I've seen so many of our students' families, at all economic levels, find their finances stretched thin or depleted," observed McClean. "So, we want families to know about every resource opportunity possible."
To that end, his office coordinates with the F.H.S. ELL ("English Language Learner") teachers, special education instructors, and student support staff, to "Make sure that Franklin's historically under-served student groups have as equal access to these limited resources as we can possibly manage," McClean said.
"The 'Franklin Community Resource' website is not just for our Franklin students, but is available to all of our neighbors, We hope that many individuals and families in our service area will also find it useful," McClean pointed out. "And, we're learning that it's also helping families who have students in Franklin's 'feeder schools' – both elementary and middle schools – who need help finding resources for students who will be joining our school in the future."
This website is online at – www.pps.net/domain/5957
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