Safe Learning with Watseka Park Districts

Watseka Lodge #446 Junior Deacon Christopher Both (left) and Worshipful Master Kevin Hack (right) presenting the Youth Organization Connection check and certificate to Watseka Park District executive director, Sherry Johnson.

Watseka Lodge #446 Junior Deacon Christopher Both (left) and Worshipful Master Kevin Hack (right) presenting the Youth Organization Connection check and certificate to Watseka Park District executive director, Sherry Johnson.

At the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, many schools had to transition to remote learning. Remote learning has it’s own set of challenges and these challenges only increase when one does not have access to a computer, internet, or a quiet place to attend class. These were the challenges that Watseka Lodge #446 were seeing in their own community when they partnered with the Watseka Park District to apply for the Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance (IMCAP) Youth Organization Grant. The Park District had the idea of providing homework stations, technology for remote learning, and a clean, safe place for children to go. Through IMCAP’s partnership with Watseka Lodge #446 and the Watseka Park District, the creation of a socially distanced and safe learning environment was able to be created to help the students of the Watseka area excel in this internet based world. Below is a letter from Junior Deacon of Watseka Lodge #446:

I wanted to provide you and the IMCAP Board with an update on the project you assisted with in Watseka.  I have attached a PowerPoint Thank You Presentation from the Park District, some pictures, and a newspaper article.  This was a big hit!  Since the room has been up and running it has been visited over 1,250 times by students from our area, it sees regular daily use by students looking for a safe place to complete homework and stay until a parent is available.  This has been an amazing service to our community, especially during these challenging times!  The Park District has also welcomed the Unit 9 Superintendent of Schools to show him how they are protecting the kids, thanks to the IMCAP grant, it is great to see the local collaboration.  The local Chamber of Commerce has also toured the facility to see the efforts being made by the Park District with the assistance of the grant. 

We have received a lot of very positive feedback from this project.  The officers and members of Watseka Lodge want to extend our thanks for this program and assistance in this project and look forward to working with you on future projects! 

Thanks,

Christopher Both

Watseka Lodge #446

Does your Lodge have a great idea for how to help the youth in your local community? Contact IMCAP Director, Gale Kilbury, for more information on how to apply for the Youth Organization Connection by phone (217)529-8900 ext 222 or by email gkilbury@ilmason.org.

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