MADISON, Wis. — As parents scrambled amid a switch to virtual learning, the Progress Center for Black Women stepped up to be a lifeline. 

It was relatively quiet in their office on Thursday, or at least, they were trying to keep it quiet. More than a dozen students from second grade through high school were either working on virtual classwork, or hanging out waiting for their next assignment. 

Families with kids in the Madison Metropolitan School District only had a few days’ notice that students wouldn’t be going to class in person as planned. That put lots of parents in a bind. 

Sabrina Madison, head of the Progress Center, decided to open up their office for kids all week. 

“It was overwhelming. We're still getting emails for folks who need space for their kids,” Madison said.

“We are already seeing parents reach out who've had to miss work and are expecting not to be able to pay their rent for the next coming month in February,” she added. “I just wanted to let parents know like, we're here to help you as much as we can have your back.”

About 15 students have been in their space all week. Thursday was the first day of virtual learning, so they had more tasks than they had earlier in the week.

“The kids definitely keep us on our toes. And sure we close our mood rings on our watches,” she laughed. 

Local businesses and everyday people donated napkins, headphones, and food. Ian’s Pizza showed up right in the middle of our interview, and Madison dutifully put the delivery person to work. 

“If you could just set up in here,” she directed them. “I know you don’t work here, but I need you to help me right now!” 

While kids got their own work done, it’s given Sabrina and her staff an even greater appreciation for teachers. 

“I don't know how teachers lesson plan, tutor, go home and cook for themselves, exercise, take vacations, run errands, I have no clue because I am not a teacher,” she laughed. “But here with the kids whole week, I could not cook for myself last night! I just steamed some broccoli. I did not even finish my workout last night. I think I did a 10-minute meditation accountability exercise, because that's how tired I was.” 

“I don't know how teachers are doing it,” she continued. “I think at the end of the day, we are definitely they're extremely underpaid. They're extremely undervalued.” 

While the kids seem to be enjoying themselves, overall, the adults in their lives are looking forward to getting them back in class in person. 

The Madison Metropolitan School District will head back to class face-to-face on Monday, Jan. 10.