Community Involvement

Schools can strengthen student learning and success by forming dynamic partnerships with community organizations. These collaborations allow schools to tap into valuable resources—such as services, expertise, and volunteers — that enrich educational experience. In return, schools can extend their impact by opening facilities to community members and working with local organizations to offer meaningful service-learning opportunities that connect students to real-world experiences and foster civic engagement.

Resources

• Community Involvement Smart Guide: Provides guidance on how schools and community organizations can coordinate to meet student needs
• Coalition for Community Schools Essential Resources: Includes field-informed resources to build sustainable community schools

Contacts

• Jessica Pinyerd, Central Region School Health Liaison, Indiana Department of Health
  • jpinyerd@health.in.gov
• Ruthie Olson, North Region School Health Liaison, Indiana Department of Health
  • ruolson@health.in.gov
• Chelsy Winters, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
  • cwinters@indymca.org