SUCCESSES:

• The Weaving Hope Program successfully recruited 186 potential participants
• Weaving Hope served 98 parents or 140% of the targeted 70 parents to be serves.
• A total of 66 parents enrolled and participated in the food insecurity workshops
• 48 Weaving Hope Parents Program participants reported at the end of the program that they have more confidence in their ability to improve their food insecurities

CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES:

Challenges

1. While 48 parents reported that they were able to gain confidence in their food insecurity, many parents were also unable to report food stability due to the COVID-19 pandemic and overwhelming personal challenges with food insecurity. The target areas for the weaving hope program were some of the most impacted and devastated areas due to pandemic. The 20737 zip code for example is within the area with the highest COVID-19 positivity rate in Prince George’s County. 
2. In addition, while many families lost work and income due to the pandemic, many families were not eligible for additional support such as stimulus checks, food stamps, or social services due to eligibility requirements.  This created overwhelming food insecurity and challenges within households.

  Strategies to overcome these challenges:

1. To address these challenges and support for families, the LAYC began weekly food distributions to serve not only Weaving Hope families but the community at large located within the Riverdale and Langley Park communities.  The LAYC was able to distribute 300 produce boxes weekly throughout the FY20 for over 10,000 boxes to the community.

Out of the total 98 parents served in the Weaving Hope Program, 48 parents completed the confidence level survey.  Out of the 48 parents who completed the survey, a total of 48 stated that they have more confidence in their ability to improve their food insecurities. As a result, the total 49% of the 48/98 parents completion is inaccurate, as it should be 100% of the sum of 49/49 program participants.