We can all agree that 2020 was a tough year! Our community — young people with disabilities and their families — was hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. So, when New York shut down in March, we jumped into action to make sure our families had the support, information, and resources they needed to get through this difficult time. Our impact report takes a look at how we responded and where we’re going.
Click on the image for a PDF version.
To our community,
Amid a surge in violence toward Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in New York and across the country, Extreme Kids & Crew stands in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and neighbors who are again experiencing the trauma and fear endemic to racism.
These heartbreaking attacks, like Tuesday night’s in Atlanta, may be spurred by xenophobic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are just the latest chapter in our country’s long history of racism and discrimination against Asian-Americans. This is a wake up call that demands we be present in the fight against white supremacy and advocate for greater allyship at home, in the workplace, and in our communities.
Since New York City shut down last March, there have been hundreds of reported incidents of violence against Asian-American New Yorkers, and 76% of Asian-Americans across the country have reported feeling worried about experiencing hate crime, harassment, or discrimination because of COVID-19. Asian-American elders, already disproportionately impacted by the virus, are particularly vulnerable to attacks.
We recognize how important it is to build community-centered support networks grounded in anti-racist practices in order to begin the process of healing. Violence against any of us is felt by all of us, and it’s our responsibility to reimagine forms of public safety that center mutualism, accountability, and restorative justice.
Here are some actions you can take to join the fight against this crisis:
Report hate crimes where you see them. Inaccurate reporting, which can happen due to language barriers and fears over immigration status, can lead to misrepresentations of the reality of anti-Asian violence. Learn more >>
Donate to and amplify the work of Asian-American-led community groups and legal defense funds. Learn more >>
Educate yourself about this recent rise in violence — and America’s long history of anti-Asian violence enacted through both governmental policy and individual action.
Participate in community-based safety tactics. For example, volunteer for SafeWalks NYC to help escort community members who feel unsafe to and from subway stations.
Places you can donate to:
National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities
Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network)
More resources from Asian-American community groups:
Safety Tips for Those Experiencing or Witnessing Hate
Asian American Federation’s Anti-Hate Safety Resources
It's on all of us to #StopAsianHate. Join us.
Sincerely,
Caitlin and The Crew
Melissa and her 14-year-old son Ethan, who uses his iPad to communicate, have struggled with isolation this year. Extreme Kids & Crew is helping families like theirs build a community through the universal language of play. Hear how Extreme Kids has helped with Ethan’s focus, then join us as we strive to keep families connected.
This summer, we teamed up with SEED Impact, an organization which helps nonprofits assess and strengthen their work, to evaluate our summer camp program and the impact it had on the children who participated. Being our first foray into synchronous distance learning and playing, the results were encouraging and will greatly inform our work going forward.
Alt text: Pictured is the cover of the Summer Camp Impact Report. The cover features a young Black girl at an Extreme Kids program wearing a blue shirt with her hands waving in the air. At the top, white text on a blue background reads “Extreme Kids & Crew 2020 Virtual Summer Camp. Analysis & Report by SEED Impact.” At the bottom is the Extreme Kids & Crew logo.
On Wednesday, October 14, we welcomed a handful of self-advocates and experts on race and disability to talk about intersectionality, what disability justice looks like, how children can advocate for themselves, and much more. You can watch the whole discussion above, and you can read a transcript of the conversation and learn more about the panelists here.
*Translated links are below.
Dear Extreme Kids & Crew community,
We hope this finds you and your crew well amidst the growing concern about COVID-19. Like everyone, we are carefully monitoring the situation and working to make the best decisions possible for the health and welfare of everyone who enters Extreme Kids spaces.
The safety and health of our member families, staff, and volunteers is our top priority, and thus, to err on the side of caution we have made the tough decision to suspend all weekend programming and events through March 31. After-school is closed through March 20th, at which point, post deep-cleaning, we will reassess. This was not an easy nor desirable decision, but ultimately, we want to ensure we are doing our part to avoid the possible spread of the virus. We will provide continual updates on our website and social media feeds regarding how we will proceed in the coming weeks, and will be available during work hours should you need to reach us.
This month Extreme Kids will:
Professionally sanitize our spaces
Brainstorm alternative program offerings. Virtual playdates and support groups?!
Provide some much-needed love, and levity, along the way
It is reasonable to feel anxious during this time of unknowns. Please take care of yourself, inside and out, and take care of each other. No one knows what to do exactly, but we will get through this together!
Ways to connect with Extreme Kids and other caregivers/parents:
The Extreme Kids email listserv, as always, can be used in the following ways:
Crowdsource information about: babysitting, schools, doctors, etc.
Organize playdates
Reach out to other caregivers (or us) for support
Don’t have access to the listserv? Request access by emailing Alex alex@extremekidsandcrew.org
Social media:
Facebook: @extremekidsandcrew
Twitter: @edextremekids
Instagram: @extreme_kids_and_crew
Please reach out, stay in contact with us and your community. Hopefully we are being overly cautious. I recognize the impact these decisions have on all of us and do not take them lightly. Stay strong and connected, my friends. And lastly, Happy Birthday Felix!
Sincerely,
Caitlin M. Cassaro, Executive Director and The Crew
Translated versions of this letter will be posted as they become available. Please download and share as you’d like:
SPANISH | CHINESE | POLISH
