Grant Community School Collaborative
InCommons Collaboration Challenge
Grant Community School Collaborative
The Grant Community School Collaborative (GCSC) was formed in 1997 in response to the persistent needs of Duluth’s urban East Hillside neighborhood: a richly diverse neighborhood in which a high percentage of low-income families live. In 2001 we became a nonprofit agency composed of professionals, parents and community members. We apply the principles of a “Community Schools” model to program design: intentional partnerships with and mobilization of key organizations and individuals, clear outcomes and high expectations, embracing diversity, building upon the strengths of our community, and working in close partnership with a school to address issues of poverty that impact children. Our out-of-school time programs seek to affirm the cultural identities of students and families and provide opportunities for academic growth, creative development, civic engagement, and building cultural understanding. With the Fall 2010 merger of the Grant and Nettleton Schools, the number of students has approximately doubled. We are meeting the challenge of serving a greater number of children with greater intensity by forming a new partnership with the YMCA and others entitled Nettleton Academic and Cultural Enrichment Programs. Goals include increasing school attendance, building academic success,
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About You
About You
First Name
Katharine
Last Name
Bogen
Country
United States, MN
About Your Organization
Organization
Grant Community School Collaborative
Organization Website
grantcommunityschoolcollaborative.org
Organization Phone
218-733-2016
Organization Address
108 East 6th Street Duluth, MN 55805
Organization Country
United States, MN, Saint Louis County
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Your Story
Collaboration Title
Grant Community School Collaborative
Country your work focuses on
United States, MN, Saint Louis County
Describe your locally-based collaboration and the problem it sought to address
The Grant Community School Collaborative (GCSC) was formed in 1997 in response to the persistent needs of Duluth’s urban East Hillside neighborhood: a richly diverse neighborhood in which a high percentage of low-income families live. In 2001 we became a nonprofit agency composed of professionals, parents and community members. We apply the principles of a “Community Schools” model to program design: intentional partnerships with and mobilization of key organizations and individuals, clear outcomes and high expectations, embracing diversity, building upon the strengths of our community, and working in close partnership with a school to address issues of poverty that impact children. Our out-of-school time programs seek to affirm the cultural identities of students and families and provide opportunities for academic growth, creative development, civic engagement, and building cultural understanding. With the Fall 2010 merger of the Grant and Nettleton Schools, the number of students has approximately doubled. We are meeting the challenge of serving a greater number of children with greater intensity by forming a new partnership with the YMCA and others entitled Nettleton Academic and Cultural Enrichment Programs. Goals include increasing school attendance, building academic success,
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Tell us about the community in which this collaboration took place
The Grant-Nettleton School Community serves 451 children and their families. 83% of the children qualify for free and reduced lunch. 47% are children of color.
The Grant and Nettleton schools have similar demographics and are being temporarily housed at Nettleton School while an expansion/renovation of the Grant School takes place. The school has not made AYP for the past 3 years.
Issue Selector
n/a
Partnership
Who was involved in co-creating or implementing your collaboration (other organizations, leaders, community members, etc.)?
Members of our original collaboration are College of St. Scholastica, East Hillside Community Club,East Hillside Patch (a grassroots community-building organization), Head Start, Grant-Nettleton Elementary School, YWCA of Duluth. Members who have joined the expanded collaboration are Duluth Family YMCA, Men as Peacemakers, Mentor Duluth, and True North Americorps.
To what extent does your collaboration involve partnerships that are outside or cross traditional organizational or sector boundaries?
While our collaboration is primarily focused on serving the families of the Grant-Nettleton school community, we have formed strong partnerships with area colleges. These partnerships result in providing both elementary and college students with valuable learning experiences: Our children benefit from the high-quality tutoring/mentoring they receive, and the college students build teaching skills
Innovation
What makes your locally-based collaboration innovative and unique?
This collaboration is unique in that it has brought together governmental, educational, philanthropic, and community-based organizations to address the current and future needs of children and families in poverty who would otherwise have limited access to high-quality tutoring/mentoring, cultural, and academic enrichment resources. Among these are a 6-week Summer Youth Theatre; a Summer Environmental Education program; after-school tutoring/mentoring and academic enrichment programs; and Family Cultural programs featuring nutritious ethnic meals, performances and presentations, and hands-on learning experiences.
Did you take risks in establishing this collaboration? Explain
The innovation, inclusivity, and effectiveness of our programs can be attributed to the risks we have taken since our inception. We began as an all-volunteer organization with a vision of developing a culture of lifelong learning, community engagement, and appreciation of our diversity. This vision is being realized through dedication of parents, school staff, and community members/organizations.
How did this collaboration differ from the normal way of doing your work?
Leadership and collaborative decision-making is characteristic at all levels of our organization: Parents and youth participate in governance and program design; Teachers and after-school/summer staff work together to develop learning experiences best suited to individual students and groups; GCSC staff work with City and School District Administrators to share resources and align program goals.
Impact
How do you know your collaboration has been effective?
Our collaboration has been successful in meeting the demand for services as we serve increasing numbers of children and families. Program evaluation consistently shows that indicators for academic growth, life-skills development, and civic engagement skills are being met. We have been recognized locally and within our state of Minnesota as a successful Community School Collaborative, and are being invited to share our model of Community/School Collaboration with the other schools in our district.
What progress or impact has been made?
The impact of our programs can be observed anecdotally among participants who are succeeding academically and socially in their high schools and colleges. Surveys of parents, teachers, and youth consistently give high marks to our programs programs making a positive impact in the areas of literacy, social skill development, leadership and civic engagement, healthy habits, and school attendance
Next Steps
How would you go about continuing, expanding, or replicating this collaboration?
Sustainability is an ongoing concern for non-profits, and we continue to develop our base of in-kind and financial supporters by engaging organizations, foundations, and individuals who share our passion for supporting youth and families in their development. Board Development, staff/volunteer training, and parent involvement are other factors that will help to sustain and build our organization. We plan to work closely with our school district, city, an like-minded organizations to support other schools and neighborhoods in developing authentic collaborations that meet their unique needs.
Describe the current stage of implementation and desired next steps
The youth and family enrichment programs at this site are well-developed and poised to evolve as resources become available. Board Direction will determine the expansion of services to address needs of our children and families such as: expanded opportunities for middle- and high school youth, mental health services, health care, adult education, financial literacy, and civic empowerment. This will involve developing partnerships with agencies and individuals who have the desire and capacity to offer services at our expanded school site. Concurrently, we will provide whatever assistance we are able to offer in support of effective collaborative efforts at other school sites.
| 134 weeks ago Katharine Bogen updated this Competition Entry. | |
| 134 weeks ago Katharine Bogen submitted this idea. |
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