In the heart of Cleveland, within the bustling halls of Lincoln West High School, a quiet revolution is taking place. Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated professionals, often overlooked, are working tirelessly to support students and families facing a myriad of challenges.
Meet Nora and Jamessa, two Family Support Specialists. Their roles extend far beyond traditional education, encompassing mental health counseling, housing assistance, food security support, and even navigating the complexities of the political climate.
“We’re here to help. We’re not intimidating or judgmental or, you know, at least we try not to be. We’re here to help,” emphasized Jamessa, her voice reflecting the compassion that fuels their work. Building trust is paramount. Many families have experienced trauma, and some are wary of engaging with service providers due to past experiences or concerns about immigration status.
The pandemic threw their work into disarray. “There was a lot of trauma,” shared Nora. “Some of these kids were left to fend for themselves and their siblings. There was a lot that was going on. Nobody could really keep tabs on because these kids were not in the school setting on a day-to-day basis.” The sudden shift to remote learning exacerbated existing inequalities, leaving many students and families struggling to cope with isolation, food insecurity, and mental health crises.
The current political climate adds another layer of complexity. “We see a lot of, ‘if we don’t tell you what the problem is, you won’t know that there’s a problem so that we can stay under the radar type situation,'” explained Nora. “They will deny that there’s anything going on because they don’t want you digging deeper and looking further.” This fear stems from concerns about potential repercussions for undocumented families, a reality that deeply impacts the work of these support specialists.
Despite the challenges, Nora and Jamessa find moments of joy in their work. “I think my most impactful to date was getting the Rape Crisis Center into the school,” shared Nora. “They did a three-week, one-day-a-week program for my entire school where they discussed boundaries and appropriate relationships and consent.”
The work of Nora and Jamessa highlights the critical role that school-based support specialists play in the lives of students and families. They are unsung heroes, navigating complex social and emotional landscapes to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. As we move forward, it is crucial to recognize and support the invaluable work of these dedicated professionals.
