Across the nation, shining examples are emerging where community institutions, organizations, and systems are coordinating and collaborating to best serve youth. Search the Bright Spots database to find great examples to learn from and share.
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Partnership's Name | Shared Goals | Description | Website | Lead Partners | Partner Types | Target Populations | Supports Offered | Funder Types | Supporting Documents | Timeframes | Location | Capacity | Health/Safety | Equity | Contact Information | Common Agenda | Continuous Communication | Backbone Support | Mutually Reinforcing Activities | Shared Measurement | |
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Tulsa Beyond | Continue or Leverage existing partnerships to meet youth needs, Support youth during remote/virtual/online school time learning |
Tulsa Beyond is the Tulsa Public Schools project aimed at re-imagining how high schools operate. Design teams at the Tulsa Beyond schools — Webster, Hale, Tulsa Learning Academy and McLain — spent several months creating personalized school models tailored to the unique needs of their communities. Tulsa Beyond is designing a system of high schools that prepare and inspire youths for the “economic, cultural and environmental realities of a radically different and rapidly changing future.” |
https://www.tulsaschools.org/careers/teach/tulsa-beyond/tulsa-beyond-schools https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/education/tps-finds-success-in-reinventing-high-school-experience-through-tulsa-beyond-project/article_2d65b207-4285-5c89-901f-2e58c59826a2.html?mc_cid=2b2285135e&mc_eid=0be1571e5c | Tulsa Beyond, the Tulsa Public Schools, Local community organizations | Community-based Non-profit Organization, School/School District |
Youth (Ages 14-17 or Grades 9-12) | Mental Health/Wellness/Mindfulness, School In-person Classes, Social and Emotional Learning/Character Development |
Government Entity/Grant, Private Philanthropic Foundation |
Fall 2020 (Academic Year), Spring 2021 (Academic Year), Winter 2020 (Academic Year) |
Oklahoma | Based on the district | Compliance with State/County/City guidance | krameto@tulsaschools.org |
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Tulsa Childcare Hub Sites | Establish or Sustain community learning hubs/pods/academic-childcare collaborative, Support youth during remote/virtual/online school time learning |
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations throughout the Tulsa area created hub site programs to address the need for childcare and distance learning support at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. |
Hub sites are featured on the Covid-19 Kid Care Resource Portal: http://covidkidcareresources.tauw.org/find-a-resource-location/ | The Opportunity Project, Tulsa Public Schools, the YMCA of Greater Tulsa, Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Metro Tulsa, City of Tulsa Parks and Recreation | Advocacy/Intermediary Non-profit Organization, Direct Service Non-profit Organization, Faith-based Non-profit Organization, Government Entity, School/School District |
Parents/Caregivers/Guardians, Youth (Ages 14-17 or Grades 9-12), Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) |
Childcare, School Remote/Virtual/Online Classes, Whole Child/Positive Youth Development |
Government Entity/Grant, Local Philanthropy |
http://brightspots.forumfyi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Hub-sites-Images-and-Article.pdf | Fall 2020 (Academic Year), Spring 2021 (Academic Year), Winter 2020 (Academic Year) |
Oklahoma | 1,350 youth | Compliance with State/County/City guidance, Limited room occupancy, Multiple hand washing/sanitizing stations, Physical distancing, Required masks for all--adults and youth--on site, Youth temperature checks |
The Tulsa Hub Sites address inequity by providing access to free and low-cost childcare programs throughout the city of Tulsa so that parents who are not able to take time off of work or who work from home have a high-quality and accessible option for their children while schools are operating virtually. These hub sites also provide critical access to food and meals for families most vulnerable to hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Courtney King, The Opportunity Project, cking@theopp.org |
We are SUSTAINING this element. | This element is EMERGING in our work. | We are SUSTAINING this element. | We are SUSTAINING this element. | This element is EMERGING in our work. | |
Tulsa Tutors | Prevent summer learning loss | In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Opportunity Project established the Tulsa Tutors program to facilitate the maintenance and growth of academic skills for a cohort of Tulsa elementary school students. The Opportunity Project partnered with the YMCA’s Hutcherson branch to provide tutoring services for 57 elementary campers in the summer 2020 session. |
N/A | The Opportunity Project and YMCA of Greater Tulsa, Hutcherson Branch | Advocacy/Intermediary Non-profit Organization, Direct Service Non-profit Organization |
Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) | Out-of-School Time Academic Enrichment/Extended Learning, Relationship with a Caring Adult, Mentor, or Tutor, Social and Emotional Learning/Character Development |
Local Philanthropy, Private Philanthropic Foundation |
http://brightspots.forumfyi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Tulsa-Tutors-Report.pdf | Summer 2020 | Oklahoma | 57 students | Compliance with State/County/City guidance, Limited room occupancy, Multiple hand washing/sanitizing stations, Physical distancing, Required masks for all--adults and youth--on site, Youth temperature checks |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tulsa Public Schools transitioned to virtual learning in March for the duration of the school year. Last year, the Tulsa Public Schools Data Strategy and Analytics Team found that students lost an average of 40% of their school-year gains over the summer. Three months of virtual learning compounded with the prevalence of summer academic losses posed a threat to student achievement and opportunity. As a result, The Opportunity Project saw a clear need for summer academic enrichment and established the Tulsa Tutors program. The YMCA operates a free camp at the Hutcherson branch for any Tulsa GO Club participants. Of the 57 students served by Tulsa Tutors, 86% qualified for free or reduced lunch. Tulsa Tutors participants were 30% African American, 23% Multi-ethnic, 16% White, 16% Latinx, and 16% American Indian or Alaska Native. Tulsa Tutors served 29 girls and 28 boys over the course of four weeks of tutoring sessions. The cohort included nine English Language Learners (ELLs) and seven Special Education students. |
Courtney King, The Opportunity Project, cking@theopp.org |
We are SUSTAINING this element. | We are SUSTAINING this element. | We are SUSTAINING this element. | We are SUSTAINING this element. | We are SUSTAINING this element. | |
Unleash the Brilliance | Continue or Leverage existing partnerships to meet youth needs, Directly check on the well-being of youth and families |
Unleash the Brilliance identified our students who were already vulnerable pre-COVID-19 and who could become more vulnerable, and underserved post-COVID-19. Our goal was to maintain a line of communication and provide support for families hardest hit by the crisis. In addition, we provided our scholars with ease of access to teachers to continue their learning. |
http://www.utbteens.com/ | Cascade Middle School, Unleash the Brilliance, King County | Direct Service Non-profit Organization, School/School District |
Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) | Out-of-School Time Academic Enrichment/Extended Learning, Social and Emotional Learning/Character Development |
Government Entity/Grant, Individual Contributions |
Fall 2020 (Academic Year), Summer 2020, Winter 2020 (Academic Year) |
California | The total capacity or target enrollment of the program is 500 participants. | Compliance with State/County/City guidance, Physical distancing |
Equity removes multiple layers of education barriers and creates a platform for enormous opportunities. We intentionally met with all of our scholars, parents, teachers and staff to communicate a sense of urgency around equity and what we could ALL do in solidarity to change the climate and culture of the school environment. |
Terrell Dorsey |
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VAPAE Afterschool & Arts Enrichment Programs | Support youth during out-of-school time activities | VAPAE is committed to community engagement and dedicated to building bridges between outstanding UCLA artist educators and the surrounding Los Angeles community. In response to pressing needs in our local schools, VAPAE’s Afterschool & Arts Enrichment Programs offer students in the Los Angeles area supportive and constructive out-of-school arts activities. |
http://vapae.arts.ucla.edu/afterschool-programs | UCLA, VAPAE, School districts | Direct Service Non-profit Organization | Youth (Ages 14-17 or Grades 9-12), Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) |
Arts/Crafts/Artistic Expression | Individual Contributions, Local Philanthropy |
Fall 2020 (Academic Year), Spring 2021 (Academic Year), Winter 2020 (Academic Year) |
California | based on number of artist | Compliance with State/County/City guidance | VAPAE@arts.ucla.edu |
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Virtual 4H Urban Explorers Club | Establish or Sustain community learning hubs/pods/academic-childcare collaborative, Support youth during out-of-school time activities |
Urban Explorers Day Camp is going virtual AND outdoors! Join 4-H Youth Development and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for week-long, hands-on activities from the comfort of your own home, and still have an opportunity to get outside, explore nature, save pollinators, meet expert naturalists, and investigate science. Each week of camp includes 5 daily check-in sessions, group games, learning challenges, and (optional) outdoor exploration opportunities that connect you with your local green spaces. This program is designed for youth, ages 9-14, though we welcome younger siblings and family participation as well. Campers will be led by high-school camp counselors and adult directors from both MPRB and 4-H. Stay connected, explore the outdoors, serve your local community, rise to new challenges, and make new friends! Be an Urban Explorer this summer! Screen time is limited, and outdoor exploration is encouraged. Scholarships are available! Youth who register will receive Urban Explorers Day Camp swag and activity kit to use for the week together and keep all summer long (and beyond). Please register at least one week in advance so we can mail supplies to you in time! Pending CDC and State guidelines, there may also be scheduled, daytime opportunities to assemble responsibly and enjoy an outdoor activity together, such as canoeing or archery. Please stay tuned for more information. Funding for this project is provided by Hennepin County through the Green Partners environmental education program. |
https://apm.activecommunities.com/minneapolisparks/Activity_Search/virtual-4h-urban-explorers-camp-session-1/110509 | 4-H Youth Development and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board | Community-based Non-profit Organization, Government Entity |
Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) | Environment/Nature Engagement/Out-of-Doors Experiences, Out-of-School Time Academic Enrichment/Extended Learning |
Government Entity/Grant, Private Philanthropic Foundation |
Fall 2020 (Academic Year), Summer 2020 |
Minnesota | 300 | Compliance with State/County/City guidance | active@minneapolisparks.org |
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Virtual Hackathon | Support youth during out-of-school time activities | Due to COVID-19 and the global pandemic, MIT App Inventor had to cancel its annual Summit in August, 2020 in Cambridge, MA, where app inventors from around the world converge on the MIT campus to share and learn from each other. In place of the Summit, the App Inventor team decided to run its first virtual hackathon, where individuals and teams from around the globe would work for one week creating apps to address a set of global issues. The App Inventor team has worked in the past with the Boston chapter of Black Girls Code to run in-person workshops, where young girls visit the MIT campus and learn how to make mobile apps. The App Inventor team were eager to include Black Girls Code members in the hackathon, but realized that for many, a hackathon would be a new and intimidating event. To encourage and support them, App Inventor offered two sets of 3 day virtual workshops to introduce the girls to the App Inventor tool, and to teach them how to make mobile apps. The goals was also to explain what a hackathon is, and to encourage the girls to take on the challenge and participate. |
http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/blogs/karen/2020/08/20/black-girls-code-hackathon | Black Girls Code, MIT App Inventor | Direct Service Non-profit Organization, For-profit Company |
Youth (Ages 14-17 or Grades 9-12), Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) |
Out-of-School Time Academic Enrichment/Extended Learning | Corporate Sponsorship (including in-kind donations, matching gifts, volunteer program), Private Philanthropic Foundation |
Summer 2020 | Massachusetts | 66 | Not applicable; We are not providing in-person supports. | future@blackgirlscode.org |
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What’s Up 612! | Develop staff/volunteers pedagogical competencies, Support youth during remote/virtual/online school time learning |
Hello Afterschool + Summer Providers! We are piloting a new version of What’s Up 612! this summer! What’s Up 612! is a FREE citywide online resource where youth, parents, educators, youth workers and everyone who knows a young person can find afterschool and summer activities and programs in Minneapolis for ages 5-24. |
https://www.ycb.org/wu612 | Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, Local Community Partners | Advocacy/Intermediary Non-profit Organization, Community-based Non-profit Organization |
Youth (Ages 14-17 or Grades 9-12), Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) |
Out-of-School Time Academic Enrichment/Extended Learning | Individual Contributions, Private Philanthropic Foundation |
Fall 2020 (Academic Year), Winter 2020 (Academic Year) |
Minnesota | Open | Not applicable; We are not providing in-person supports. | rachel.oberg-hauser@minnneapolismn.gov |
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WiFi in The Canal | Provide student access to learning technology | The new mesh WiFi network will address the digital inequity in the Canal by making it easier for students to participate in virtual learning and for Canal residents to access vital information and resources. Canal Alliance hopes the WiFi mesh network is the first step in a longer-term and more permanent solution to close the digital divide. Our goal is to build the foundation of a network with scalable infrastructure that allows us to expand the capacity to support the entire community. |
https://canalalliance.org/wifi-in-the-canal/ | County of Marin, San Rafael City Schools, the City of San Rafael, and Canal Alliance | Community-based Non-profit Organization, Government Entity, School/School District |
Individual Community Members, Youth (Ages 14-17 or Grades 9-12), Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) |
School Remote/Virtual/Online Classes | Corporate Sponsorship (including in-kind donations, matching gifts, volunteer program), Government Entity/Grant, Private Philanthropic Foundation |
Fall 2020 (Academic Year), Spring 2021 (Academic Year), Summer 2020, Winter 2020 (Academic Year) |
California | Unknown | Not applicable; We are not providing in-person supports. | There are many reasons for an equity gap among low-income families including the prohibitive cost of internet and the lack of an extensive broadband network in the Canal neighborhood. Because multiple families often live in a single home in the Canal, the leaseholder is often the only person who has access to the internet. These internet access challenges are compounded by the fact that many families do not have computers, or have only one computer per house, so all members must share a single computer. As a result of this huge inequity, multiple stakeholders realized the urgent need to implement a solution to address digital equity issues in the Canal and empower students to succeed through virtual learning. |
(415) 454-2640 |
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Y Learning Labs for Super Scholars | Continue or Leverage existing partnerships to meet youth needs, Support youth during remote/virtual/online school time learning |
The Learning Lab is a new program from the Y offered every day in 52 sites, including a number of Title 1 schools with whom the Y already has strong youth development focused partnerships. The Learning Lab provides youth with the necessary learning space and technology access to engage in distanced learning during the pandemic. |
https://www.ymcasv.org/child-care-camps/after-school-programs | YMCA of Silicon Valley, Mountain View Whisman School District, Morgan Hill Unified School District, Los Altos School District, Cupertino School District, Morgan Hill Charter, Gilroy Prep School, Santa Clara Unified School District, Rocketship Education, Moreland School District, ACE, Evergreen School District | Direct Service Non-profit Organization, School/School District |
Youth (Ages 5-13 or Grades K-8) | Out-of-School Time Academic Enrichment/Extended Learning, School Remote/Virtual/Online Classes, Social and Emotional Learning/Character Development |
Government Entity/Grant, Local Hospital |
Fall 2020 (Academic Year), Spring 2021 (Academic Year), Winter 2020 (Academic Year) |
California | 2,500 | Compliance with State/County/City guidance, Limited room occupancy, Open ventilation, Physical distancing, Required masks for all--adults and youth--on site |
Many of the schools with which the Learning Lab is partnered are funded under Title 1, a federal education program that provides supplemental funds to school districts to assist schools with the highest student concentrations of poverty. Through the Y, these schools are able to contiunue to provide academic support for their students. |
YMCA of Silicon Valley, Youth Development Department, yafterschool@ymcasv.org |
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