Launch a Project
to Connect

Celebrate Success RFP Project

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

Tips on Building Relationships with Families and Organizations

Create a warm, welcoming environment for family members when they drop off or pick up children. If possible, provide a sitting area with interesting reading material and information on local family resources in English and other languages, when appropriate.
Hire staff who relate to your communities of children and families, and train all staff to work well with families.
Make your environment reflect children's diverse backgrounds, with staff who live in the neighborhood or speak the home languages of the families. Include visuals reflecting the languages and cultural heritage of the children.
Exchange information with community-based organizations and institutions. Post notices of community events in your afterschool space.
Invite people from the community to be part of or present in the program, whether teaching a skill or leading a workshop.

Up Next: Find out about our Program Design Publications.