DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEED A DESK AND STOOL FOR LEARNING FROM HOME?
PROJECT UPDATE
17 DECEMBER 2020
OVER 800 REQUESTS FOR DESKS AND STOOLS!
It has been less than a month since we originally posted this article and survey, and in this time we have had over 800 requests from families throughout Philadelphia for desks and stools. 90% of the requests are for families with PreK-5 students and 57% of the families have two students, making the need desks and stools even more acute. Even many of the teachers who have submitted requests do not have a desk or viable work surface and are using things like folding TV dinner tables to teach class. We learned that families overwhelmingly also need storage (art supplies, file folders, pencil/pen holders, shelves) and desk lamps. The stories that people about have generously shared about ‘why they could really use a desk and stool’ are truly wrenching. Frankly we know that the requests for 800+ desks and stools is just the tip of an iceberg of need.
WE’VE REDESIGNED THE DESK.
Based off of this and other feedback, our Building Heroes redesigned the desk to have four legs, be easier to build, and yet still address the many particular needs and requests of Philadelphia families (storage, extra surface area to do multiple projects, and yet small enough for a Philly bedroom). The one above is just a prototype and we have a few more small changes to make but we are really close.
WE WILL START BUILDING AND DELIVERING DESKS AND STOOLS IN EARLY JANUARY.
We have been able to pull together some support to start building desks and stools in early January. Given that nearly every family that have requested desks and stools have demonstrated an acute need, we will simply fulfill the requests we have received on a first come, first served basis.
CAN YOU STILL REQUEST A DESK AND STOOL?
Yes, please do but know that there are lots of families in front of you. We also know that this will still be a real need even after students return to school, so we will do our best to keep working on this as long as possible. We are also starting to work with partners to find alternative sources of desks and seating for families (old school desks and chairs for example).
ARE THE DESKS AND STOOLS FREE?
Yes, however if you do have the ability to donate $50 (this covers the costs of materials for a stool and desk) or to pay a ‘Buy One, Give One’ cost (please contact us), this will allow us to pay our Building Heroes who are designing and fabricating them a living wage AND greatly help us support as many families as possible.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MEET THIS NEED!
While our Building Heroes and staff are ready to work incredibly hard to support Philadelphia families, even making a portion of the 800+ desks and stools that have been requested is a very tall order. Please consider making a donation. We will happily receive material donations and we are also looking for contractors, builders, designers, hobbyists, and fabricators who have their own shops and will prefab materials for us or build desks and stools outright (we will make the designs open source to collaborators and train your team if needed).
Have any great ideas or ways that you might able to help? Please get in touch with Alex Gilliam, alex@tinywpa.org
ORIGINAL POST
23 NOVEMBER 2020
DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEED A DESK AND STOOL FOR LEARNING FROM HOME?
Laptops, iPads and internet access are great but we know that, for a wide variety of reasons, many Philadelphia K-12 students don't have a designated place or space to do their remote learning each day. It is known that this negatively impacts educational outcomes, not to mention adding additional stress on family members. To address this need, our Building Heroes ages 16-40 are developing a desk and have completed the design of two types of stools (a rocking stool and a standard stool with a shelf underneath the seat). Throughout our prototyping process, people and organizations have offered to potentially help with this initiative. Now we just need your help, understanding how many desks and stools are needed, and how we can proceed.
Please fill out the ‘Request A Desk And Stool’ survey. Feel free to share this with anyone that you know who might be interested in a desk or stool.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I FILL OUT THE SURVEY?
Once we have an overall assessment of need, we will reach out to our partners and funders to see what kind of support we can pull together to create desks and stools for Philadelphia families. When we have a clear understanding of what we can actually promise and deliver, we will get in touch with you!
WILL THE STOOLS AND DESKS BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?
Yes, we will have the stools and desks available for purchase on our website in January. However, the pricing will only be in the ‘Buy A Desk And Stool, Give A Desk And Stool’ model and this will include labor costs as we pay our young adult Building Heroes a living wage to design and build things like these desks and stools.
HOW CAN YOU VOLUNTEER OR GET INVOLVED?
Depending on demand for the desks and stools as well as our own capacity, we will happily take offers from builders and fabricators to help build. Given Covid-19 restrictions and to protect the health and welfare of the Building Heroes who are working at 4017 Lancaster Avenue everyday, people who are interested in volunteering should have their workshop. If demand is high, we are sure we could also use help with distribution, material pick-up, etc..
A NOTE ABOUT THE IMAGES BELOW
The design of the stools is complete, with the team developing a really cool rocking stool and a storage stool. Both stools come in two different heights to accommodate different ages: 14.5” and 17.5”. The design of the desks is still being tested by neighbors and revised by the team. Currently there are two rough prototypes that you can see below. Nice job Ian, Tamir, Tucker, Megan, Caprice, and Sky on this work!
