Teaching the children we work with the importance of giving back to the community is a cornerstone of the work we do. This could be intergenerational programming, service learning projects, or the performing or visual arts. Creating community connections has positive benefits not only for the children served, but also for the larger community. When afterschool programs develop and sustain deeper partnerships, where there is a palpable sense of partnership present, children have better academic and social outcomes. 

Working with a local senior center or assisted living facility to create opportunities for the children to visit and interact with older generations creates more robust programming and allows them to learn organically. Storytelling or game playing are perfect settings for this to happen. It also helps children gain respect for older adults and demystify some of the things they think they know. 

Likewise, developing service learning projects allows children to be active participants in their community. Projects such as blight removal, brush or garbage cleanup, caring for the homeless, or helping in the local soup kitchen or food pantry are all ways to help them learn about being there for others, and that they too can make a difference.

Finally, involving community partners to take part in events such as something with the visual or performing arts creates opportunities for collaboration to help defray the costs and provide local community support for your work. Some possibilities include using gallery space, hosting a play, helping with costumes/props, providing food and refreshments, and more. This allows the children to see collaboration in real time and learn about the value of teamwork and partners. 

Giving back doesn’t always mean doing, it is sometimes as simple as showing up to be there.