Southwest Initiative Foundation recently posted about a previously funded project that happily left adult student able to continue learning, even under coronavirus distancing conditions…

Students in Southwest Adult Basic Education are working toward skills they need to enter the workforce. As COVID-19 moved learning online in Minnesota for all ages, ABE students and staff were prepared to keep learning thanks to a Grow Our Own grant. The grant, awarded in 2018, supported online access for students to participate in classes using Adobe Connect web conferencing.

Southwest Adult Basic Education (ABE) – Marshall Region Program Manager See Moua-Leske recently sent us an update and thank you:

With the unprecedented events that have taken place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of web conferencing has never been more important as we use alternative routes to reach our students. We have been able to be a resource to other programs in the state in helping them implement online classes. We couldn’t have done this without your support. Thank you!”

Adobe Connect web conferencing allow students to participate and contribute to classroom instruction from a remote site for classes. This project was the first of its kind in adult basic education.

And they are looking for more good ideas to fund…

Southwest Initiative Foundation is offering Grow Our Own responsive grants to support nonprofits directly serving southwest Minnesota communities for work related to Grow Our Own. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the deadline to apply for this grant has been extended to July 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. Find grant guidelines and application details on our grants page.