Local Business Connectopod Learning, Inc. Needs Your Support

The new coronavirus has changed life for all of us. Local businesses have taken a huge economic hit, but communities are finding creative ways to support the establishments they know and love.

In an effort to help local businesses in our communities stay connected and succeed, Patch will shine a light on some of them through a series of Q&A articles during this time.

Connectopod Learning, Inc. is one of the businesses in town facing struggles during the coronavirus. You can lend your support by reading more about the company, below, and by contacting them here.

Tell us about your business and its history in your town.

Connectopod is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization that connects youth to their communities, their peers and their voices through podcast. Cofounded in 2017 by professional voiceover artist, Betsy Foldes Meiman, and educator and nonprofit administrator, Andrea Longoria Lopez, Connectopod has served over 150 local youth reporters with podcast programming.

Connectopod is headquartered in Reseda, but our mobile classroom allows us to serve youth across Los Angeles.

How has the new coronavirus impacted your business and its employees?

We had a large fundraiser scheduled for March 31, 2020 at Horchateria Rio Luna in San Fernando. This restaurant has supported Connectopod in the past with coupons for free food and drinks for our youth podcasters. We had arranged to host a fundraiser at HRL, which included a portion of sales going towards our programming. We had also arranged to advertise our programming to patrons throughout the day of the fundraiser, as HRL is in a centrally located plaza surrounded by other restaurants.

We had looked forward to the fundraiser that would help us to meet our fundraising goals for the year while raising our program's visibility in the communities we serve. This event was, of course, postponed indefinitely, due to the coronavirus. We are uncertain about when or if we can hold this event any time soon. The uncertainty regarding our funding for this year is making planning ahead difficult.

How can local customers support you now and in the future?

Visit our website to listen to our archive of shows. Our youth reporters have lots to say! Listeners can also share shows, and read our blog to learn more about the youth and communities with whom we work. We are always looking for sponsors for our show. We have sponsorship and advertising packages available. Our podcast receives an average of 10,000 listens per month, so this is a great way for advertisers to reach new audiences! You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @Connectopod.

Do you have any words of encouragement for your community?

We are so grateful for all of our medical professionals, hospital workers, first responders, field workers, sanitation workers and USPS workers! Thank you for continuing to keep our most basic needs running during this time.

It will be okay. Life does not stop because of the quarantine — life just evolves. Our problems seem very different now than problems we've faced before, so we have an opportunity to think of new solutions, too.

Advertisers that sign up for ads on Connectopod's Youth Podcast now will be featured for the entire 2020/2021 season at no additional cost. Contact ALopez@connectopod.net for advertising and sponsorship packages.

Are there any other outstanding businesses in town you think deserve some community support?

The Gr818ers in Canoga Park, The G818ers Wresting Club, shout out to Marcia Melkonian at the Canoga Park Library and all LAPL branches! And for sure, Cleveland High School and St. Euphrasia School in Granada Hills. These organizations are doing amazing work, even during this time.

Do you own a local business in need of a feature on Patch? Fill out the questions in this form for consideration. Or, check out Patch's full list of resources for small businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

Thank you, and stay safe!