Community School Partnership
In August 2006, the Center for Humanistic Change was selected as lead partner in the Bethlehem Area School District - Lincoln Elementary School's venture into the United Way's Community School initiative.
A Community School is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. As a Community School, Lincoln will be striving for an integrated focus on academics, health, social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. A Community School strives for improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. A Community School connects the school to the community to create a valuable partnership that meets the needs of the students, families, and community members. It becomes the center of the community and is open to everyone - all day, every day, evenings, and weekends.
As lead partner, CHC is responsible for securing funding for the sustainability of this initiative, hiring and supervising the Community School Coordinator (CSC), and providing support services, programming, and securing community involvement in the future of our youths. The CSC also works very closely with the principal and staff of Lincoln Elementary, and receives professional "coaching and mentoring" from the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to implement the strategies necessary to sustain the Community School model.
The CSC is a full-time employee of the CHC, however, is housed on site at the Community School. The Coordinator facilitates the Community School Leadership Team, works in close partnership with the school principal, aligns programs and services with the quality curriculum of the school, and develops additional partnerships and strategies through implementation of the school performance plan. The CSC and Leadership Team continually assesses the schools assets and needs to make intentional decisions on how to provided enriching opportunities for Lincoln's students and families.
