For the past two years, Family Promise has hosted Akron Public Schools' STEM Middle School for education and volunteer opportunities for their 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. The partnership is an extension of the high school College & Career Academies and focuses on partnering with nonprofit organizations and community-related work. APS surveyed the middle school students and homelessness was a high interest issue. As part of the outreach, STEM Middle School has partnered with about 12 nonprofits in the community, including Family Promise!
Sixth Grade Program
Programming for sixth grade learners is more informative and educational. While at Family Promise, students learned about our organization, what we do, and what type of careers are involved in the operation of a shelter. Students participated in an interactive poverty simulation and played a Jeopardy-style game related to homelessness and homeless-serving organizations.
Seventh Grade Program
Programming for seventh grade learners is experience-oriented and we include them in volunteer projects around the administrative offices, Glendora House, and Survive to Thrive homes. This year, seventh graders helped with Glendora House yard clean-up and mulching. Jeff also spoke with students about the shelter building and what services are provided at Glendora House.
To date we have not yet worked with the eighth graders, but we will next school year! Programming for eighth graders is focused on problem-solved and solution-based exercises and learning.
We are very excited about this partnership with Akron Public Schools and STEM Middle School and look forward to engaging 6th-8th grade students during the 2024-2025 school year!
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