In partnership with Monument of Faith Church (1933) and Russell Memorial CME Church (1903), we are developing an after-school program for children and youth in the Grant Street Community, the surrounding Hayti and Southside neighborhoods, and students attending Burton Magnet Elementary School and C.C. Spaulding Elementary School. This program is being shaped alongside neighbors, educators, and church leaders who have long been anchors of care, guidance, and presence in these communities.

Throughout the summer of 2026, we will partner with existing community events and church-led programs, including Vacation Bible School and other neighborhood gatherings, to build relationships with children, youth, and families. These opportunities will allow us to listen, learn, and share information about the after-school program as it takes shape.

This season of relationship-building and community engagement will help prepare us for the launch of a semester-long weekly after-school program in the fall, offering consistent academic support, mentorship, creative enrichment, and opportunities for young people to grow in community.

The vision is to create a welcoming environment where young people can grow, explore, and be supported—academically, socially, and creatively—by a community that knows them and is invested in their well-being.

Funding will support program materials, snacks, activities, as well as stipends for teachers, mentors, and program leaders, and scholarships to ensure all students can participate fully—including field trips and enrichment experiences.

More than a program, this is an investment in the future of the neighborhood—supporting young people as they grow, learn, and find their place within a community that is committed to them.