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Parks Plus Creation/Spire School COVID Relief

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The global pandemic has affected many across our planet, including our small, San Francisco based business, Parks Plus Creation. We're asking for your financial support during this challenging time.

Ilana and Megan co-founded Parks Plus Creation in 2013, to offer nature connection and play based education to children, in a safe, nurturing environment. For seven years now, we have supported over a thousand children, and witnessed their growth in becoming creative, competent, and curious learners. With an extended focus on social-emotional development and a deep care for nature, we have sent many children into the world with an abundance of knowledge and compassion.


Together, the two of us built Parks Plus Creation from the ground up. At the beginning, we spent every waking hour, and still do, ensuring that our offerings are enriching  for children and their families, and that our program benefits and positively impacts our community. We used to spend hours dreaming of the day that we could welcome other educators and offer stable and competitive jobs to others, outside of ourselves. 

Now in 2020, we have grown our community greatly; we have many programs that fall under our Parks Plus Creation umbrella, including enrichment programs, toddler and family classes, summer camps and our beloved Spire School. We are now a team of 8 including the two of us, our teachers and an office manager, and we feel beyond proud of what we have created over the years! Currently, we employ 5 amazing teachers, with full-time hours. Their energy, creativity and dedication is what makes Parks Plus Creation so special. We are happy that the majority of our business income goes to pay 100% of their health and dental benefits, competitive wages and a comfortable, safe and fun working environment. 


Additionally, we have successfully been able to offer financial assistance to families, year after year, who would otherwise be unable to attend our program. We aim to dedicate a portion of funds every Fall to be able to do so. 

It may go without saying, but we have worked tirelessly to get to where we are today and while we have endured many obstacles in sustaining a business, we are asking for your help today, as we enter the biggest hurdle thus far. 

Closures due to Covid-19 have impacted many small businesses, including ours. With the extended Shelter in Place in California, we have canceled all of our Forest Enrichment and Chickadee Toddler Programs that together, generate essential revenue for Parks Plus Creation to be able to provide full-time wages and benefits for our dedicated teachers mentioned above. In order to keep our teachers employed and to protect the short term stability of Parks Plus Creation, Ilana and Megan have immediately halted their owners’ pay.

Furthermore, our summer camps are approaching soon and with so much uncertainty, it's unclear what revenue our business will be able to receive in the coming months. 

Of course we are aware that this hardship is not exclusive and has hit many of us all over the world. We are humbly asking that if you are in a position where you are able to donate money to Parks Plus Creation/Spire School, you contribute to our GoFundMe to support our teachers. 100% of the money raised here will go towards our payroll expenses. 

We believe so strongly in the importance of forest schools, and that now more than ever, we need thoughtful, resourceful, nature-connected communities. Our teachers make up the backbone of our community, and we need your help to ensure we can continue this essential work.


We thank you in advance, from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and generosity. 

May you be well. 

With love and light, 
Ilana, Megan and the Parks Plus Team

#SmallBusinessRelief

Organizer

Ilana Israel
Organizer
San Francisco, CA

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