Current Community Partnerships
On the HAP good news front, we have established a major collaboration with the YMCA through their After-School Centers on Education program (Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant).
The YMCA is providing high quality supplemental enrichment and academic activities at 9 school sites in 4 school districts through their grant program and are having a lot of challenges with student behavior, attentiveness and learning readiness, which are bulls-eyes for our areas of HAP and Project CLASS expertise. And so, we are in the process of training 80-90 YMCA staff members annually with the potential to help several thousand more children through our curriculum of skills and skill sets.
We're heartened we can help more children in the universe of improved relationships and learning.
Also on the HAP good news front, we have established a significant collaboration with Communities in Schools (CIS). Since 1979, CIS has been a major force in our community to help students stay in school and achieve in life. With current CIS services on 167 school campuses and serving 100,000+ children, CIS has wide reach and meaningful impact. CIS exists because children across Houston face a myriad of barriers to success including social, relationship and mental health challenges. The CIS and HAP partnership add Project CLASS competencies to CIS’ commitment to surround students with a community of resources and support.
Because HAP and Project CLASS effectively train and develop the skills and skill sets for improved children’s behavior, focus of attention and learning readiness, we are in the process of annually training up to 125 CIS staff members (Student Support Specialists) with potential to beneficially help tens of thousands more children have a better and more productive future.
More good HAP news, we have established an important partnership with Attack Poverty. Attack Poverty’s mission is to empower people to attack poverty in their life and community by strengthening under-resourced communities through spiritual growth, education, revitalization, and basic needs.
With this mission in mind and their commitment to breaking the cycle of generational poverty, HAP and Project CLASS are providing staff training services and resources for Attack Poverty staff to strengthen their educational and community initiatives. We are in the process of training the Attack Poverty Program Managers and Team Leaders with the potential to help thousands more children and adults through our curriculum of core-foundation social skills for children and the teaching skill sets for teachers, parents and other caring adults.
Significantly, we have established a trailblazing, remarkably innovative and creative collaboration with Rotary and a cluster of their Clubs & Districts across the country and across the world. Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves. In a nutshell, Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Rotary is a vast network of 530 Districts and 35,000 Clubs with a presence in 200 countries. The education of children and better relationships are priority Rotary focus areas.
Project CLASS for Community is ideally suited to partner with Rotary Clubs and Districts based on our exceptional capacities to improve children’s behavior, focus of attention & learning readiness and to strengthen adult abilities to equip children with core-foundation skills. Especially relevant is the way Project CLASS for Community promotes these developments- through On-Line, Virtual, Interactive & On-Demand access to Children’s Books, Book Animations, Book Reading Videos, Songs & Song Animations, Parent & Educator Activities Guides, Training Sessions and Help-Line Services.
The Rotary & Project CLASS collaboration is on track to help tens of thousands more children and thousands more parents, teachers, grandparents, foster parents & other caring adults.
Rotary & Project CLASS Shared Mission Brochure
Project Summary: Services & Benefits & Funding Options - HOW YOUR CLUB CAN HELP
On the resourceful front, we have established a partnership with the Houston Food Bank involving our donation of Project CLASS Children's Social Skills Books in tandem with food donations through the Backpack Buddy program. During the school year, in conjunction with participating schools, school district delivery sites and community partners, the Backpack Buddy program ensures that food sacks are distributed to children and families on a weekly basis. For hundreds of children and families, these food sacks are enthusiastically augmented by Project CLASS Books & Resources facilitating fun and engaging activities for enhanced focus of attention, learning readiness and relationships.