Due to funding issues, First Baptist Cares' learning program faces uncertainty heading into the spring semester.
News 12's Winston Reed is live from the non-profits church to explain.
Hamilton county schools will be virtual for the start of the spring semester.
All schools will follow a remote learning schedule from january 6th though at least january 8th.
Increasing covid numbers are the reason.
Schools in hamilton county began setting up virtual learning centers to help kids stay on track this year.
Due to funding issues, first baptist cares' learning program faces uncertainty heading into the spring semester.
News 12's winston reed is live from the non-profits church to explain.
Pastor terry ladd took the initiative of starting up his own virtual learning center here at first baptist church.
The program doesn't have the luxury of being funded by the city like other virtual programs. the center's host, first baptist cares, is seeking more donors this spring.
Students in hamilton county are winter on break, which means faith baptist cares' virtual learning center is empty.
As grant money for the fall is drying up, ladd hopes it does doesn't stay that way heading into the spring semester.
"we received that money in november of 2020 to run our virtual learning centers and we would not be eligible to and we will not be able to apply for those grants again until november of 2021."
"i think at this stage we're just trying to get by month to month."
Chattanooga pastor melody winderweedle partners with first baptist cares and says the much needed funding supports staffing, day to day operations and keeping the facility clean.
"my hope is that we can secure some grants through other non-profits to continue to open our centers."
Ladd says his church is a necessity for students come spring semester.
"some of them did not have the capability at home to have wifi.
Many siblings, brothers and sisters, when everybody is trying to get on at the same time it causes challenges."
"i don't know how long situation with the pandemic is going to last but i predict that it will probably go into fall of 2021 so being able to have funding to get us all the way through the end of the pandemic i think that would be ideal."
Go to our website wdef dot com for the link to the first baptist cares go fund me page.
Reporting in chattanooga winston reed news 12 now.
History
First Baptist Cares seeks donors for their virtual learning center
