Beyond a single day
How do you move from a single day of service to a partnership that shows up for a school — for its students, families, and educators — long after the day is over?
I visited Carver Elementary this past May and met Karen, who is doing exactly that. Last October she came to a CityServe project at Carver, having never set foot on the campus before, and left knowing she wanted to work with them. She had recently retired and felt a tug toward serving a school, CityServe day was the perfect entry point. The principal, Lisa, helped plug her in. Karen now helps lead a homework club that meets twice a week.
CityServe Day is a no-strings-attached, citywide day of service. Twice a year, people across Colorado Springs pick up tools and do hands-on work — painting, cleaning, repairs, landscaping, or something more creative. This past May, more than 1,900 volunteers worked on 107 projects in a single day. About 40 of those were at schools.
CityServe Day and School Connect
For schools in particular, this is one of the clearest openings we know to build lasting community partnerships. It’s why we encourage every school we walk alongside to put CityServe Day on their radar.
One project can do several things at once. It gets real work done. It’s an easy on-ramp for new volunteers. And, thought through well, it starts relationships that go beyond the day. We say that when relationships take root, connection grows, compassion grows, and capacity grows.
Tracey Beal, who founded School Connect, says, “Schools are a portal to every need in a neighborhood.” When a business, a church, or a family shows up to serve a school, they meet the principal, the teachers, and the students. Meeting is just the start of trust building. When the partners and the school both stay committed to building trust and depth of relationship, one Saturday can grow into a flourishing set of community partners.
Three ways to be part of it CityServe Day
1. Host a project
For school leaders and educators. Pick something your campus needs — paint, a garden, an outdoor space —
2. Sponsor a project
For businesses and community members. Sponsors cover the supplies and grants that get projects done, and show a school its community is behind it.
3. Volunteer at a project
For individuals and organizations — businesses, churches, clubs. You don’t need to be an expert. Come on your own, or bring your team, congregation, or group and take on a project together.
Come be part of it
CityServe Day is one day. The relationships can last for years. Host, sponsor, or volunteer — every school needs a village, and this is a good place to start.