At United Way Community Schools, some of the most meaningful moments are the ones that show just how much relationships matter.
Recently, at Harding Elementary, the fifth-grade Student Ambassadors gathered for their annual welcome breakfast. For Community School Director Shanna Potter, this group holds a special place in her heart. Many of these students were part of the first kindergarten class to return to Harding in 2021 after COVID, and she has had the opportunity to watch them grow from young students into leaders in their school.
After the breakfast, one parent sent a message thanking the Harding team and sharing how much their family has appreciated being part of the school community over the years. Their message was simple, but powerful:
Harding has become family.
That kind of connection does not happen overnight. It comes from years of showing up, getting to know students and families, listening, celebrating milestones and building trust.
It is also a big part of what the Community School Model looks like in action. Community School Directors are not only connecting families to programs and resources. They are building relationships that can grow alongside a student throughout their time at a school.
As we get ready for our 2026 Assembly: Community Schools in Action, stories like this are a reminder that some of the biggest impacts of the model can be found in the relationships built along the way.