OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Info on the American Rescue Plan Act

Taking Care of OUr community

TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS

The devastation of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism has disproportionately impacted our communities. Young people rely on trusted relationships to navigate these challenging times. 

CONSISTENT SUPPORT

As schools are disrupted and other support systems are at capacity, we are providing consistent mentoring and other programming to support our participants in their efforts to carve out bright futures for themselves. 

SUPPORTING FAMILIES

Summer Search supports our program participants and their families. We help young people process the new world around them to ensure their path to thriving adulthood is not permanently disrupted.

How is mentoring being provided?

In 2020/2021, we pivoted to providing 1:1 mentoring and meetings with student peer groups virtually via phone and Zoom to ensure the safety of participants and our staff.



In 2022, there is a possibility that in-person programming, like mentoring in schools or in-person events, will resume. We are continuously monitoring the guidance provided by the CDC, local health authorities, and our school partners, to understand when in-person activities can safely resume. 

what about summer trips?

Safety is one of our top priorities at Summer Search. We firmly believe that our youth are only able to fully participate in their Summer Experience if every effort is taken to ensure everyone is as safe as possible.


In Summer 2020, thanks to the imagination and innovation of our staff and partners, we were able to provide entirely virtual/online programming to keep our community safe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, we were able to return to a mix of in-person, locally-based programming, along with virtual experience options.

As we look ahead to Summer 2022, we are continuously monitoring the guidance provided by the CDC, local health authorities, and our summer partners. More to come!

Parents/guardians and participants will always have a choice about whether to participate in a summer experience.

If you have questions, please reach out to your local Summer Search office.

What additional support IS being provided?

We have adapted our programming to be tailored to needs arising due to the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism:

  • Prioritizing topics and resources related to well-being
  • Curating and sharing resources to support mental health, physical and financial well-being, anti-racist engagement and community connection
  • Supporting post-secondary students to navigate ‘visiting’ colleges, and attending college virtually
  • Offering emergency funding to supplement financial needs for Summer Search participants brought about by pandemic
  • Partnering with an SMS provider to send personalized, mass message to participants who opt-in so we can keep connected and informed quickly in our ever-evolving context

supporting staff during the pandemic

At the outset of COVID-19, we shifted promptly to fully remote operations. We have gradually reopened our offices, following recommendations of our local public health agencies, including reconfiguring our offices in line with safety guidelines that allow for social distancing, proper sanitizing, and mask-wearing.



We are continuing to prioritize staff well-being by providing flexible sick leave, accommodating flexible schedules, supplementing federal benefits, and providing a range of supports to promote mental health and self-care.

We are providing tools and shifting expectations so that staff can be well, resourced and show-up fully for our participants.

funding Outlook for next school year

Summer Search is in a stable financial position heading into the 2021/2022 school year.

  • Our supporters recognize that the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism have urgently illuminated how important it is to support our work to ensure equitable futures for young people.
  • We receive philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and corporations—many of whom commit to multi-year support.
  • We are continuing to navigate the unknowns and shifts in our funding prospects, innovating our approach to fundraising, and partnering closely with our supporters to successfully pull through these unprecedented times.

Learn more about our model, impact and other ways to support Summer Search.

Our Model
Our Impact
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