The Donaldson Foundation has awarded $30,000 to 360 Communities to support its school-based Partners For Success program. 360 Communities Partners for Success employs family support workers in 32 schools in eight school districts. They engage families of at-risk, Pre-K to 12th-grade students to create a stabilized home environment that encourages learning, values high achievement and prepares students for post-secondary education or a successful career.
“The Donaldson Foundation is a committed partner to helping children succeed in school and in life,” says 360 Communities President and CEO Jeff Mortensen, “This funding guarantees more parents will be engaged with their child’s school, more families will receive stabilizing supports, and more children will have a better chance to arrive at school ready to excel.”
The program works in coordination with 360 Communities’ network of five food shelves, two family resource centers and two domestic violence shelters to provide the holistic support needed to promote long-term success in school and in life. Family support workers build trusting relationships with students, parents, and teachers. The wide array of resources they provide families, including food and financial support, ensures children can come to school focused on learning. Then students and their parents are able to engage in a structured plan to reach academic success.
During the 2015-2016 school year, the 360 Communities Partners For Success program achieved the
following results:
- 3,529 people were served, including 1,912 students in 941 families.
- 87% of students improved or stabilized their attendance.
- 90% of students improved or maintained their academic performance.
- 90% of parents historically disengaged from their child’s school became engaged.
- 100% of families were connected to at least one new financial, tangible and/or informational resource.
- 90% of school families identified as experiencing homelessness or in need of stable housing, found housing or were able to maintain their housing.
