Around this time last year, many adults across the globe were struggling to adjust to working from home and scrambling to set up at-home workspaces. At the same time, schools were shut down and trying to piece together how to make virtual learning possible for the indefinite future. No one could have predicted that some students would still be learning from home a year later.

Attending school virtually or in a hybrid fashion has brought many challenges, such as social isolation, trouble focusing and technical issues, but at-home learning has been even more difficult for students who do not have a designated workspace where they can attend their online lessons, keep their school supplies and do their homework.

Many of Oakland Family Services’ clients recently shared that their children were in need of better spaces to learn at home.

"The pandemic has made regular activities like going to school and work a challenge for all of us,” said Kristin Benton, the agency’s director of Development. “We've all been trying to adapt our spaces to fit all of our needs, and have found that sometimes, we just don't have what we need. That's been the case for many of the children we serve, who are trying to learn at home.”

In March, Oakland Family Services found an opportunity to purchase wooden desks for $27 apiece. Through an online fundraising campaign, the agency was able to raise $1,000 to provide desks for 35 children in need.

“Because of everyone who donated to our Desks for Kids campaign, 35 of our children now have a designated place where they are able to set up for school, focus and learn,” Benton said. “We're really grateful for this support to help kids adapt to this different way of learning."

A total of 16 individual donors and one company came together to raise the funds. Cornerstone Community Financial Federal Credit Union provided the final $170 as one of its 70 acts of kindness in 2021 to mark the credit union’s 70th anniversary.