Back to School Rallies Get Kids Ready for School

By Tonya Young, Homeport relationship coordinator, and Pamela Palmer, AmeriCorps Member

Homeport, a NeighborWorks member in Columbus, Ohio, hosted back to school rallies at many of its communities to help provide children with the tools they need to be successful in school. Homeport board members, staff, and AmeriCorps members volunteered alongside employees from Chase, Hilton, Express, and other organizations handing out backpacks filled with school supplies. The children enjoyed the events and left feeling so excited to go back to school! 

In addition to stuffed backpacks, the residents received free food and information on safety and other community and social service programs available to help improve their lives. For most, the moments treasured included when members presented participants of the Homeport summer camp program with certificates of completion, and when they announced the names of the children and families selected to receive refurbished computers.  

These rallies involved collaboration amongst various community partners, including YMCA, Columbus Gives Back, Columbus State Community College, The Junior League of Columbus, and United Way of Central Ohio. The residents had an opportunity to meet their child’s 2012 School Liaison Officer, who promotes and encourages increased parental involvement in the education process, as well as representatives from City of Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman’s office, and other public officials. The success of these events was made possible by the selfless acts of others and the formation of new partnerships. What a great way to kick off a new school year!

How a VISTA Kicked Off an After-School Program, and Took it Up a Notch with Volunteers from Boston U. and Support from TDBank

“So often we measure impact in numbers, but when I saw these pictures I thought they really conveyed the impact one VISTA volunteer can have on the lives of many children… No surprise that this is a really successful program.”

- Ann Houston, executive director
Chelsea Neighborhood Developers.

While talking with the residents of Spencer Green, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, AmeriCorps Vista volunteer Josh Strazanac made a discovery: there wasn't enough for the Spencer Green kids to do to keep busy.

Working with Chelsea Neighborhood Developers' (CND) Community Engagement Team, Strazanac created a three-day a week program for kids ages three to 12 so they would have a positive place to spend a few hours after school. Volunteers from Boston University's Community Service Center worked with kids for an hour on their homework and for the second hour, the kids had time for some fun. They play board games, socialize with friends and make arts and crafts.

"The after school program was a way for the community room to be used in a healthy, constructive way," Strazanac said.

After a few successful months CND partnered with TDBank to start a financial literacy program for the kids in the after school program. Also Chelsea Public Schools offered their gym and equipment for the children to use when it was cold out and the BNY Mellon Charitable Giving Program provided free passes for the Boston Children's Museum and New England Aquarium.

This program, which started with just 12 children in February when it launched, now has 24 students registered. Many of the nine volunteers from Boston University have been with the program since its launch. The model has been so successful that it is being used to start a program at Spencer Row, another CND affordable housing community.

"Pursuing a healthy environment with long term stability in neighbor relationships is the goal," Strazanac explains.

The time Strazanac put into the after school program has had a lasting impact on all the families who rely on after school care. Spencer Green has seen dramatically reduced damage to property, and the residents are happy with its result.

The Community Engagement Team encourages working with other organizations to improve communities. By forming the relationship between CND, Boston University, TD Bank and Chelsea Public Schools, it has strengthened the Chelsea community.