At Gideon Elementary School, you can’t get very far without seeing Community School Coordinator Greg Wright pausing to greet a student with a fist bump or saying hello to a parent.
This is especially true on First Mondays. Every first Monday of the month, Greg keeps the school open after school, and all are welcome to attend.
The evenings include something for everyone, and people line up early to attend this popular event. Over an hour before First Mondays begin, expect to see a line outside of Gideon. Greg calls First Mondays “a smorgasbord of resources.”
You can shop the the clothing closet, an event staple that’s become so popular it’s shopped in rounds. You can learn about free adult education classes. Your children can pick up free books. You can check out healthcare resources, or even learn to cook at a demonstration class.
Listening to the concerns of families inspired Greg to create First Mondays. “I love the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people,” he says. “Sometimes I’m helping them out, sometimes they’re helping me out. It’s a great give-and-take relationship that we’re developing.”
Greg’s passion for helping others is obvious as he walks through the school.
On First Mondays you might catch Greg with a phone in each hand (sometimes on two calls at the same time). You’ll also see him directing volunteers, and welcoming families to the school. He says the best way to include all students, families, and community members in decisions about the school is to listen.
“Greg helps bring so many new resources and services to the school. First Mondays are just the tip of the iceberg of what he does around here,” said Shauneille Taylor, the principal at Gideon. “The kids love him, the teachers respect him, and the community really responds in a great way. Having Greg in Gideon is vital for pushing forward our school goals.”
Partnerships enable Coordinators to connect students and families to needed services. For instance, Greg recently connected with Joseph J. Peters Institute. This organization provides students in the community with free, trauma-informed counseling. And he’s always looking for more resources to assist students and community members.
Greg’s favorite part of being a Community Schools Coordinator, he said, is best illustrated with a photograph.
Outside of his office, Greg displays certificates he has received from students. Students say Greg is one of the best Community School Coordinators, “most hyped up,” and an excellent rapper. Seeing his positive impact on students and the community shows, and he said, make his work all worth it.
Meet Greg and connect with community resources at the upcoming First Mondays at Gideon. The next First Monday resource fair is December 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is open to all.
Community Schools Coordinators ensure that all students have access to quality education and resources. By identifying the needs of their communities, Coordinators increase access to job opportunities, healthy foods, clothing, and emotional health services.
