Partners and Community Based Organizations

 

When budgets are tight, summer programs can fall by the wayside, particularly affecting low-income families that can’t access private resources. Partnerships are a proven and cost-effective way for schools and organizations to expand what they can offer children and provide more meaningful summer learning experiences—making a real difference in the lives of children, families, and communities. - Report from the National Summer Learning Association with support from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Leveraging Community Support 

Vital to the success of any summer learning program is the development of its partnerships, and it is important to leverage your resources in meaningful ways. It is suggested that Summer Learning Programs: 

  • Engage in partnerships to offer high-quality enrichment by providing a wide range of fun activities.
  • Consider community partnerships as an effective strategy for maximizing summer-program participation.  
  • Use community-based partners for expertise in activities like sports, arts, design, and cooking.
  • Ensure these partners are equipped to carry out the program’s mission.

Where to start 

The ​Wallace Foundation Summer Learning Toolkit provides sample RFP and Memorandum of Understanding to set clear requirements and expectations to recruit providers that best fit your mission.

 

In each community, there will be organizations and individuals who can help strengthen the quality and success of your summer learning program. ADE highly encourages Summer Learning Program administrators to engage with the following organizations where applicable. 

  • Within Your LEAs 
  • Local AEA Chapter 
  • PTO/PTA Leadership 
  • Parents of Special Needs Students 
  • ELL Parents 
  • Parent Councils 
  • Teacher Site Leaders 
  • Title I Staff 
  • Special Education Staff
  • ELL Staff 
  • Counselors and Mental Health Staff 
  • Not required, but consider engaging: students (especially from middle and high schools)
  • Within Your Community
  • Mental Health Organizations – check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Site to Find a Local Chapter. 
  • Connect with the following Non-Profit Partners who have worked with 21st CCLC sites -
  • 21st CCLC External Non-Profit Community Partnership List (pdf) (Arizona's 21st CCLC programs identified organizations that have worked with Arizona 21st CCLC programs in the state)
  • School Connect - Create a Love Our Schools Day and provide an opportunity for community members to connect with their local school - to roll up their sleeves and plant a garden, or paint a classroom.

(NOTE: this is not a comprehensive list, and some of the groups may not be present in your community. This is intended to be a general resource. You may know of more relevant stakeholders within your specific community.) 

We are currently building a list of Non-Profit Community Partnerships that also support summer learning. 

I am a nonprofit organization that has worked with Summer Learning Programs in Arizona.  

Contact the LEA or District who established a partnership with your nonprofit and request that they email the following information:

  • Nonprofit Name
  • Website
  • Phone Number
  • Targeted Areas such as; Academic, Enrichment, Youth Development, Family Engagement
  •  Region of Arizona to: [email protected] 

The Arizona Department of Education is not responsible for controlling or guaranteeing this outside information's accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness. Further, the inclusion of information or a hyperlink or URL does not reflect the importance of the organization, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed or products or services offered.

Join us in sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance Summer Learning in Arizona.

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