MEDIA RELEASE
September 20 update: See the story in the Grand Rapids Times.
Neighborhood Meet Up Participants Aiming for Student Success
GRAND RAPIDS—Parents, grandparents, students, educators, and concerned community members gathered at Ford Middle School Thursday evening (September 16) for the second Believe 2 Become Neighborhood Meet Up in the central zone. (Shown in green on map below.)
“I came tonight because We Believe We Become is very important to me,” said Kiwane Canada, an eighth grader at Ford Middle School. “I believe I’m going to grow up and get a diploma and not drop out. I came to share my information… what I like about school.”
Believe 2 Become is a collaborative partnership of Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation, more than 50 local organizations and hundreds of individuals who believe in Grand Rapids students. Believe 2 Become is creating real opportunities for students to become the people they aspire to be.
Kiwane was one of about 175 people in attendance for dinner, small group work sessions, and a large group meeting. Kelley D. Gulley, president and CEO of National Community Development Institute, led the meeting in collaboration with Lighthouse Communities.
Small groups were asked to begin the process of determining one community goal for making sure children are successful in school. Suggestions included increasing parent involvement, providing more academic help for students after school, building connections between parents and schools, facilitating mentoring between retired seniors and latchkey kids, and nurturing a culture of encouragement and support for students.
“People were here to listen to the community about schools and how we should get together and help the community,” said Cameron Jackson, an eighth grader at Ford Middle School. “We can make our education better by the things we think about and do.”
Many of those present attended the first Neighborhood Meet Up in August out of curiosity, but came to this meeting based on commitment.
“I think it’s important that I know what’s going on in the community,” said Kandeis Hill, the mother of five children ages 18, 17, 15, 14 and 2. All of the teens attend GRPS schools. “Once I got here I realized it was really important. I wanted to see what we could do to help our kids do better in school and graduate.”
