Through Jennifer López’s leadership as chief executive officer, the 2,276 students and families at Carmen Schools of Science and Technology have received high-quality education and wrap-around support through the COVID-19 pandemic, according to board member Alicia Dupies, senior vice president at Capri Communities.
Carmen is a non-selective public charter school serving 90% students from low-income families and 95% students who are Latino or African American.
When school closures were announced at the onset of the pandemic, López directed Carmen to:
- Loan 1,745 Chromebooks to students lacking access.
- Provide 440 WiFi hotspots to students without internet service.
- Implement K4-12th grade virtual learning within three days.
Given the impact of COVID-19 on Carmen families’ jobs and access to basic needs, López also led an effort to raise $157,322 in emergency funds to cover families’ utility costs and rent/mortgage for parents and guardians who lost their income, medical and funeral costs related to COVID-19, grocery expenses through partnerships with Pete’s Market and El Rey, and small businesses’ unexpected costs incurred during the pandemic.
