QKA Takes Action to Help Schools During Pandemic

By SCN Staff

SANTA ROSA, Calif.—After learning that economically disadvantaged schools in Sonoma County lacked basic resources for distance learning, North Bay Area-based Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) took immediate action to bridge the “digital divide” preventing some of the neediest students from an education during COVID. QKA has stepped up to the plate to the tune of 80 Wi-Fi hotspots for families without access, 330 reams of copier paper, and $2,500 to help feed families in need.

Co-founder and Principal Mark Quattrocchi personally reached out to schools in Sonoma and Lake Counties and took stock of what resources were most immediately needed. For some schools, it was as basic as copiers and copy paper to make take-home packets for distance learning. In other cases, it was Wi-Fi hotspots to grant kids Wi-Fi access who previously could not join their peers for digital learning.

Here is a complete list of what materials/funding were provided and where:

Two Rock School
26 hotspots with 3-month subscription plan – allows access to all cell carriers; a critical need, particularly in rural areas with limited cell coverage
3 cases or 30-reams of copier paper

Roseland Family Food Relief Fund
Donation of $2,500 used by families in need to buy groceries locally

Donation of $1,000 on behalf of QKA from Jeff Warner of Warner Mechanical Engineering (inspired by QKA’s donation)

Roseland University Prep
11 hotspots with 3-month subscription plan

Roseland Creek ES
3 hotspots with 3-month subscription plan
10 cases or 100 reams of copier paper

Roseland ES
10 cases or 100 reams of copier paper

Sheppard ES
10 cases or 100 reams of copier paper

Lake County Schools
20 Wi-Fi Hotspots

“For years, I’ve been aware of the educational inequities that exist in communities of color and economically disadvantaged schools.  When the Coronavirus struck, it shined an even brighter light on this unlevel playing field as these districts tried to implement distance learning,” said Mark Quattrocchi, QKA founding principal. “The nexus for my reaching out to rural and economically disadvantaged schools was an article published in a local North Bay paper, The Press Democrat, which specifically listed Two Rock and Kashia Schools as those struggling to overcome connectivity barriers and a lack of resources. I reached out to those as well as other local schools I was aware may be having trouble, most of which are not out clients. As we have been so fortunate to continue working and moving projects forward during this time, we feel it is our privilege to support local students who have already experienced so much upheaval.”