The Power of Partnerships
Back to school means back to partnerships! As the new school year begins, we are increasing our efforts alongside our partners to meet the needs of students and families. Through more than 35 active partnerships, we are addressing academic, social-emotional, and basic needs for over 1,000 Greater Than students. Our commitment to collaboration and community-driven solutions lies at the heart of our mission, enabling us to create lasting impacts within the communities where we work.
Greater Than partners include Alder and Portland State (MAPS), Friends of the Children, HOLLA, the Alliance for Equity in Montessori Education (AEME), Home Forward, Camp Fire Columbia, and many others.
Back to school means connecting with students and families and supporting their growth and learning throughout their education journey. We help smooth the transition to a new school year, provide school supplies and backpacks, and support registration efforts and other start of the school year events. We work with partners to align services to ensure that students and families have the information and resources they need to start the school year off strong.
A Powerful Partnership: Mentoring: Alder and Portland State (MAPS)
Take, for example, our partnership with Portland State University’s MAPS (Mentor: Alder and Portland State). Most MAPS mentors are studying to be teachers, school counselors, or social workers, and they play a vital role in empowering students through culturally-affirming mentorship with our Alder Elementary students.
Mentors visit Alder once or twice a week in the winter and spring. Their primary focus is face-to-face time in the classroom and the lunchroom. They work with teachers to assess the challenges students face and determine how to best support them. The results are real. Teachers have reported that having a mentor in the room has led to academic improvement. School attendance is better too because students are more excited and confident about school.
Most MAPS mentors are studying to be teachers, school counselors or social workers.
Culturally responsive mentorship affirms the unique identities of each student while bolstering their self-efficacy and confidence. The bond between mentors and mentees not only fosters a sense of belonging but also cultivates a passion for learning.
"Mentors love the opportunity to spend time and meet their kids."– Melia Hadidian Tichenor, MAPS program coordinator at PSU's Student Community Engagement Center
This partnership is one of many that enable Greater Than to serve the Rockwood and Downtown Hillsboro communities. We believe that deep collaboration is key to effectively serving the complex needs of systemically under-resourced neighborhoods.
The mentees are not the only ones who reap the benefits. Mentors gain classroom experience and enjoy working with students.
As we embark on this new school year, we invite you to stand with us. Please consider a donation to help us reach our goal of raising $30,000 to support our back-to-school efforts. Your donation will enable us to continue fostering powerful partnerships and providing essential resources to students in need.
When schools, families, and organizations work together, we create a vibrant network of support for students.
Back to school, back to partnerships – together, we are Greater Than the sum of our parts.