The residents of the Corpus Christi area are experiencing the same struggles as other Americans as they continue to confront COVID-19. The pandemic shifted how people work, communicate, and learn in ways that are still ongoing and will continue for quite some time. Managing this turbulent time is exceedingly difficult, especially for families struggling with loss of employment or family problems. Helping these families overcome challenges and move forward is BCFS Health and Human Services, an organization with a Corpus Christi location that also works throughout the country at local, regional, and federal levels.
The organization’s local office is led by Director Robin Soto, who oversees the efforts to support community members with educational, planning, and family management services. She and the local team continue to find creative ways to tackle individual problems as they try to help as many people as possible succeed academically, personally, and professionally. These efforts included improving access to career planning and educational resources and guidance and adapting the delivery of those services to fit into a virtual quarantine world.
BCFS Health and Human Services’ efforts in Corpus Christi produced several success stories. The organization worked closely with a young mother named Lena who needed help with her employment and at home. Lena has a young child and another on the way, and was struggling after losing her job at the local school district. The organization stepped in by paying a month’s rent for Lena and providing her with frequent job listings and other resources that resulted in a new job. They also connected her with a local partner organization to provide her with a crib and other items that would help her welcome a new baby.
Another Corpus Christi mother reached out to BCFS Health and Human Services for help during the pandemic. This mother of four was struggling with her children’s behavior at home, which was exacerbated by virtual learning and lockdown restrictions. She took some parenting classes offered by the organization that gave her dynamic strategies for adjusting her kids’ behavior and helping the family unit move forward. She also was given local store gift cards and board games that were provided to help manage the stress and boredom of the pandemic.
