Being actively engaged in our local community is important to us. Just as we rely on the generosity and kindness of others, we want to offer the same. Our staff, students and families work together to help others in our local and surrounding communities. One of the ways we achieve this objective is by cultivating active parent involvement, along with expanding global citizenship through service. With service at the forefront, students regularly engage with local nonprofits and community-based organizations in volunteer or other service needs. These practical experiences benefit both students and the community, furthering the benefits of our holistic education model outside the classroom.
This fall students are participating in a special initiative called “Raise Craze”, fundraising through kindness. Raise Craze is an online fundraising platform fueled by acts of kindness.This unique concept is breaking down the barriers of the traditional fundraiser and putting kindness back into our culture by engaging students in acts of service rather than selling. Students seek donations to support their school and in return, “pay it forward” with acts of kindness in the community.
Our older students prepared Rice Krispy treats for the residents in our school’s neighboring assisted living facility, and spent an afternoon visiting, playing cards and board games. Our younger students are preparing thank you cards and special treats to deliver to first responders supporting our community. These are just a few ways students are paying it forward with acts of kindness this fall.
School-Wide Community Outreach and Philanthropic Support
Our philanthropic initiatives expand beyond the student through our school wide efforts to support our community. Our staff, students and families engage in a number of initiatives and events to reach out to our community, including:
Micro Food Pantry: GHCFE hosts an on-site micro-pantry designed to serve the local community in need of non-perishable food items.
Animal Foster Home: GHCFE partners with Fur Angels to host animals in our Pet Therapy Program until they are adopted. We have had snakes, bearded dragon, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and more. Our students help clean and care for the animals while they stay with us.
Our students and school community also support other area charitable organizations including CASA Kendall County, 3:11 Project and various food banks. Students regularly visit Heritage Woods assisted living facility, our county food pantry, and other local service organizations in volunteer efforts. Our school also lends its facility after school hours for meetings and gatherings for nonprofit organizations such as the 3:11 project, Refuge Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous and others.
Engaging with residents of our community outside of school is important to building our network to support local families. Grace Holistic Center for Education hosts four events open to the public each year including: Halloween Goblin Games, Easter Brunch, Color Run, and the annual Grace Gala.
GHCFE encourages students to engage with their community through service projects and local initiatives throughout the year. By encouraging global citizenship, students are given opportunities to grow outside of the classroom and gain a sense of volunteerism and social responsibility.