Launch a Project
to Connect
Celebrate Success RFP Project
Step-by-step project guide for students to write a 'grant application' for their end-of-year celebration. Illustrated with selections from students in Philadelphia.
Connections: Schools, Parents and Communities
Children benefit significantly when programs build connections among schools, families and communities.
Programs can benefit, too, by tapping new, often underutilized resources for afterschool education.
The Center for Afterschool Education provides professional development and technical assistance to help develop this component of your program. Set the wheels of collaboration in motion for children's success.
- Connecting with Schools
- Connecting with Parents
- Connecting with Communities
- Where to Learn More
- Tips on Building Relationships with Families and Organizations
Connecting with Communities
Communities are critical—and exciting—resources. Connecting children with people and places outside of school helps them identify with and develop as members of their multiple communities.
You can leverage community connections to:
- Better link children and families to health care, housing, energy assistance and social services
- Serve as partners and resources for internships, service learning, job placements, apprenticeships and career building
- Provide training in finance and sustainability, culturally relevant programming, advocacy and outreach work, health and fitness or other specialized areas
- Create opportunities for field trips and other enrichment activities
To establish community connections, clarify what you want to achieve. Involve children and young people in the thinking and discussions.
Once you've set goals, seek suggestions from staff, from the neighborhood, as well as from parents, families, school personnel and children and young people themselves. Conduct active outreach with local businesses, political leaders and others who can help strengthen your connections.
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