To support the social and emotional needs of students in the Westerville City School District, the Westerville Education Challenge (WEC) launched an online social-emotional resource center available to students, families and staff on Tuesday.
The WEC Social-Emotional Resource Center will provide information and assistance to help students, families and staff build social-emotional skills, develop new strengths, and increase their understanding of the interconnectedness within the Westerville community.
Resources include crisis hotlines that are accessible at any time, information specifically for family and students, materials for educators and school staff, and a video library for anyone who supports students. You can access the resource center through WEC’s website.
“With all that is happening around us, there is no better time than the present to support our community and lean on each other,” said WEC Board President Kristan Robertson, who is also a teacher and parent in the district. “We are excited about this opportunity to provide a resource which community members can access and find tools and support opportunities to help themselves or someone closer to them.”
An all-volunteer organization that started in 2009, WEC has supported more than 10,000 students through mentoring clubs; grants for teachers; and programs such as Challenge Day, middle school transition events, and middle school culture summits. The group recently made a long-term commitment to financially support the Hope Squad, a new peer-led initiative focused on mental health and suicide prevention/education slated to debut in August.
More than 1,500 community volunteers and 40 corporate and community sponsors partner with WEC and their contributions include thousands of volunteer hours and more than $250,000 in donations.
Robertson said awareness has grown throughout the Westerville community about the importance of supporting the emotional wellness of students.
“Simply because we care, WEC brings adults from across the district together to show our students that their social and emotional health is worth our investment,” she said.
For questions or additional information, please contact Robertson at kri0812@gmail.com or 614-353-6229 cell/text or WEC Secretary Lauren Hoffman at laurenleshnockhoffman@gmail.com or 614-561-1871 cell/text.