Peoria Public Schools has approved a partnership with the JOLT Foundation to allow for use of a portion of the Wraparound Center for JOLT’s services.
With the space in the Wraparound Center, JOLT will be able to expand their services to a larger portion of the community. According to the agreement, services provided will include: COVID-19 resources, distribution of Narcan and testing for HIV, Hepatitis-C and other STIs.
According to their website, the Wraparound Center currently provides services “from food pantry and clothing assistance, to therapeutic services, affordable housing advice, and more.”
Some Board members expressed concerns regarding the safety of students at the Wraparound Center, which is located inside Trewyn School. Director of the Wraparound Center Derrick Booth addressed the concerns, emphasizing the enhanced security features already in place at the facility.
“To this point, all of the services that are provided at the Wraparound Center have been open to the public as long as they reside in Peoria County,” said Booth. “The Wraparound Center is a secure door on the side of Trewyn School, separated from the actual school building. Clients have to buzz in…and anyone that moves beyond that waiting area has to be accompanied by one of the providers.”
JOLT Foundation Community Health Worker Kristen Meierkord also sought to ease concerns, calling attention to the need for the services in the Peoria area.
“I was at the Resource Fair down at Wraparound Center about a month ago, and one of the women down there had spoken about how they had lost four parents of her students to drug overdoses,” said Meierkord. “Yes, we wish we didn’t have to address this issue, but it is our reality in Peoria and we want people to be alive.”
JOLT will not be required to pay a fee for the use of the space, and will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the remainder of the calendar year.
