Webinar with David Kirp Discusses Importance of Strong Community Partnerships

Communities and schools can work together and provide a well-rounded educational experience for youth.  Kirp offered an example of collaboration between a school and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, a program of trained mentors that serve as youth advocates.  Through these relationships, youth gain social skills, create a positive sense of self and have access to caring, stable adults.  Kirp stated that by bringing mentors into the school, it would create a web of support for kids both in the community and in the school.  As a participant in Kirp’s webinar, I couldn’t agree more—especially in underserved, low-income neighborhoods where a variety of community-based assets go underutilized and supportive community partnerships are few and far between.  In our latest issue brief, we highlight various examples of nonprofits working in their neighborhoods to provide access to resources, such as afterschool, for English Language Learner students and their families.  Keeping the unique needs of youth in mind, communities must continue to work together and support student learning.