In Community Schools, everyone can play a part in supporting student success – including other students!
This summer, students from YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School volunteered at Gideon Elementary, a nearby Community School, to revitalize the school’s garden and playground.
The older students created two new garden beds, which will be used to plant crops and herbs that the elementary school’s science classes will study later in the year. The volunteers hung new netting, installed new backboards on the basketball court, and painted a hopscotch court and school mascot on the playground.
Gideon’s school leadership team had been interested in making these upgrades even before YouthBuild, a charter school for formerly out-of-school youth, approached the Gideon staff about becoming a volunteer site for their students.
“Gideon is a Community School that wants to create spaces that make people want to be a part of the school community,” said Greg Wright, Gideon Elementary’s Community School Coordinator. “And YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School does so much to help local young people who need support. We felt that by combining our efforts, it could help the most people.”
YouthBuild partners with AmeriCorps to provide students volunteer opportunities that count towards their graduation requirements.
For one YouthBuild student, volunteering at Gideon was especially meaningful. Erica Wiggins, a student at YouthBuild, is a Gideon graduate.
“It was the first place that made me feel like I belonged,” said Erica. “At Gideon it felt like I had people besides my mom that cared about me and wanted me to be a better person. When I found out that this was one of the options where I could volunteer, it was an absolute no-brainer to come back.”
“So many community members have said how they want there to be more opportunities for health education and physical fitness. So many, in fact, that we made it one of our top priorities when Gideon Elementary School became a Community School in 2017,” said Greg. “We’ve done so much to help alleviate those needs, and this is another step in doing more. Because we can always do more, and we will always try to.”
“It’s a project that is good for everyone,” said Amanda Hulse, a community projects coordinator for YouthBuild. “For the community, they have a beautiful new space. For Gideon students, their yard is updated and they have opportunities to learn about agriculture. And for our students, they’re giving back to their community while also earning the service hours they need to graduate.”
Thank you to Erica and all of the YouthBuild students who made this possible! We can’t wait for Gideon students and our community members to see the new spaces!
The Community Schools initiative is a collaboration between the School District of Philadelphia, the City of Philadelphia, and community partners, and is central to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s vision for public education. Philadelphia currently has 17 designated Community Schools, where a Community School Coordinator supports added school-based programs and services for nearly 10,000 students and their families and neighbors.
