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USES’s 2020 in 50 Photos

Four story brick building with adjacent courtyard

As we reflect on 2020, we decided to take a look back with the 50 photos that defined this unexpected, challenging, and inspiring year. Take a look below!

Just click on the dates below to see the photos and descriptions!

January 6


club48 kicks off the new year with a trip to Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink! This field trip fit perfectly with the vacation week’s theme of “movement & motion.”

January 15


USES hosts a group from Platform31, who visited all the way from The Netherlands to learn more about USES’s Family Mobility program.

January 21


The Timothy Smith Network and Northeastern University launched a biweekly pilot program for young scientists called “Think Like a Scientist” for club48 youth.

January 27


club48 youth use some pretty awesome stained glass techniques for their art enrichment, working only with contact paper, sharpies, and black poster board!

February 4


Thirty USES families join us for “Let’s Be Honest,” a workshop facilitated by Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts on how to create an envirinment of trust and comfort when talking to their children about sex and sexuailty.

February 7


From infants to toddlers to preschoolers, USES children explore their colorful surroundings in our Early Childhood Education program!

February 26


Kayla Butler, a Camp Hale alum, shares valuable information on how our diets affect our health and environment, and offers helpful tips on how to transition (seamlessly!) to a plant-based diet.

February 28


Our preschoolers create salad spinner art during STEAM time with Ms. Jules!

March 6


The full team shows off our USES pride on Professional Development Day! From trainings on Social Emotional Learning to the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences, staff spent an enriching day of learning and cross-program collaboration.

March 17


United South End Settlements temporarily closes our doors on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to minimize the growing spread of COVID-19.

March 23


ECE teachers prepare for their first “family circle-time!”

March 27


The Boston Herald recognizes USES CEO Maicharia Weir Lytle for her commitment to keeping Harriet Tubman’s spirit of service alive in very trying times for nonprofit service delivery

April 3


USES spotlights Veda Wright! Veda’s favorite part of her workday at USES is the “conversations with parents.”During this time of social distancing, she “takes walks” and “checks out guided meditations on YouTube.”

April 7


To continue the education of our early learners, ECE teachers send out daily activities for parents and caregivers to try at home. The Stars had to find the letter “B” in items around the house!

April 17


USES spotlights Director of Operations Clara Garcia! Clara loves working at USES for the “sense of community.” She hopes that “we all remember to take it one day and with caution” and is looking forward to reuniting with everyone!

April 22


Our Stars classroom creates milk-marbled paper from home!

May 4


USES distributes over 130 bags of groceries, and essential products to our families. If you are interested in supporting the continuation of USES’s Food Delivery Program, please consider donating to our Give a Box Campaign here!

May 14


club48 STEAM Challenge! The Alphas make colorful patterns in melting ice.

May 19


Paint Day with Ms. Jules!

May 21


The ECE team received this amazing and colorful token of appreciation after delivering art supplies to our local families!

June 9


The recent injustices committed against George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery motivate communities across the nation to fight for the end of racism and police brutality. We see peaceful protests, a variety of petitions, GoFundMe’s for POC activist organizations, and more inspire people across the country to take a stand and engage in courageous conversations.

June 11


USES adapts to meet the immediate needs of our community, continuing to deliver fresh produce and food to nearly 200 families each week.

June 19


USES celebrates Juneteenth. It was June 19, 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, TX with news that the war had ended and that enslaved people were now free, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

June 23


Another successful Paint Day! Ms. Jules inspires our little artists to get creative over Zoom.

July 7


Our teachers prepare for children to safely return to USES!

July 13


USES reopens our Early Childhood Education and club48 programs on July 13th, 2020! After four months apart, we were so happy to see our teachers and children back together again.

July 24


USES relaunches the Food Distribution Program on Thursday, July 23rd to ensure that all of our families have access to healthy food options as long as necessary.

July 30


Change can be difficult. We are so proud of how our kids adjusted to this new normal.

August 7


Check out USES’s superheroes! Grateful for our educators and their commitment to serving our children and families.

August 10


As COVID-19 continues to negatively impact our community, USES renews its commitment to supporting families as they navigate this challenging time. Check out our COVID-19 response video on YouTube to learn more.

August 12


Meet longtime USES parent and supporter, Tammy Pena! In USES’s COVID-19 Response Video, Tammy shares that USES made her feel like “she was never alone in all of this.”

August 19


What’s better than a fort built with friends?

August 27


The Stars classroom graduates from preschool!

September 8


The Explorers’ admire the growth of their plants over the weekend! Growing plants can teach children about responsibility, as well as nurturing a love for nature.

September 11


USES spotlights, Vice President of Development & External Relations Jerrell Cox! He shares, “I love working at USES because I know firsthand the impact and importance of the programs we offer.”

September 17


club48 enjoying some fresh air and outdoor play! Physical skills are important for growth, physical coordination and the movement of the body. When children play outdoors they increase their ability to balance, jump, climb, run and throw.

September 21


Happy 1st day of (virtual) school! The school-age youth at USES are busy at work in their learning pods. Big shout out to our team for their thoughtfulness and creativity through these challenging times.

September 25


club48 visits the Southwest Corridor to paint some beautiful outdoor scenes thanks to the generous support of the Southwest Corridor Park Conservancy! This is a valuable tradition for our youth to engage with nature and gain an appreciation for natural spaces in the community.

October 1


USES Pop Up Art Show! The community enjoys paintings of the Southwest Corridor created by kids in our club48 after-school program this summer. Their artwork is showcased here in spirit of the artwork that was once displayed along this sidewalk in decades past for all to enjoy.

October 8


Fall Breeze & Autumn Leaves, the Dinos have a blast on this cool Thursday morning!

October 15


Our children circle up for some cherished in-person learning and sharing!

October 30


Boo! USES children enjoy some snowy trick or treating.

November 2


The first week of “The Connection Project” allowed children and teachers from ECE and club48 to create pieces as part of a cohesive puzzle!

November 4


Our youth voters use their voice: Friday will be Pajama Day at USES!

November 9


USES kiddos enjoy the last bits of sunshine!

November 30


With 1 in 5 children at risk of experiencing food insecurity as a result of COVID-19, USES launches the Give A Box campaign.

December 4


USES spotlights Toddler Program Coordinator, Tamare Gordon! She shares, “When we first opened the toddler’s program, I was one of the first teachers in that room, and I’m still friends with a lot of those families. Some of them are 15, 16. My favorite memory is being a part of the first graduating class. Being able to see the students that I taught move on and learn all the things they needed to learn and develop. Then graduate from here and to celebrate with them and their families. That was so emotional for me. My passion for working for kids and the relationships I built here, coworkers, families, that’s what kept me here over the years.”

December 14


USES spotlights a club48 student!
What is your favorite subject? “I like math.”
What are you learning in math? “I am learning division.”
Who is your favorite teacher? “Ms. Breana”
What is your favorite part of school with Ms. Breana? “I like snack and recess.”
What is your favorite snack? “Popcorn!”

December 17


Neither rain nor snow can keep USES staff from their commitment to feeding our families.

December 22


Before the winter break, our staff and youth dress up in their very best for Formal Day at USES!

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