The Family & Community Partnerships Awards

The Family & Community Partnerships Awards will be held on Tuesday, May 5, from 9:30–11:00 AM at the Embassy Suites (10 Century Blvd.). Dr. Battle and other district leaders will join us as we celebrate the partnerships that support students and families across MNPS. Awards will include categories such as OST Provider of the Year and OST Site Coordinator of the Year—more information on how to submit nominations will be shared soon.

                   Girls Write Nashville Benefit Concert

At Girls Write Nashville, powerful moments often begin with a single lyric. When students share their songs—sometimes expressing things they’ve never said out loud—those moments of honesty and connection can spark recognition and support across the room. Through weekly songwriting circles, young artists build friendships, navigate challenges, and discover the strength of their creative voices.

Virtual Conference Opportunity: 2026 National Summit on Youth Well-Being

The Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) is hosting the 2026 National Summit on Youth Well-Being, a 6-credit hour virtual conference bringing together youth-serving professionals, organizational leaders, and partners from across the country to share practical strategies that strengthen outcomes for young people.

This national convening focuses on real-world approaches that can be applied immediately in work with youth, families, and communities. The event may be particularly relevant for organizations involved in 21st CCLC and out-of-school time programs, given its focus on youth well-being and system-level support.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Format: Virtual

Cost: $20 registration (a $150 value, subsidized by funders)

Register: https://bit.ly/4rodpCi

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Engaging Immigrant & Refugee Families

During summer programming, many OST providers noted a gap in participation from immigrant and refugee families. Collaborative members expressed interest in learning how to better meet these families where they are, including connecting through trusted community spaces and resources close to home.

Strategies that can help include offering translated and culturally relevant communications, sharing information in multiple formats, partnering with immigrant-serving organizations, and creating flexible opportunities for family input and leadership. These steps build trust and ensure that families feel welcomed and supported, ultimately strengthening student participation and success. Explore more strategies in this guide.

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Improving Teen Pathways Through Afterschool Programs

The Wallace Foundation’s new Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents Initiative (AOA) is a multi-year project looking at how afterschool and youth programs can better support teens as they learn, grow, and explore future careers. Seven communities will work together to improve access to high-quality programs and build stronger partnerships across schools and local organizations. The initiative will also create tools and a practical guide to help other communities strengthen their own teen supports.

Read the full article here to learn more! 

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