School Partnerships

Trinity is creating a strong presence in the Forest Park Neighborhood through its After School Arts Program for Forest Park Middle School Students.  Trinity's partner for this program is Square One and together they are making a difference in the lives of the students who participate.  There are over 30 students registered for the 3 day per week program.  

When the students arrive, they are greeted by the director, two staff members, and at least one Trinity volunteer.  They have a snack, talk about their day, receive help with their homework, and then participate in the activity of the day.  That activity might be a field trip to Forest Park, a cooking lesson, a chance to burn up some energy playing sports in the gym, an arts lesson, or other special programs.  They all enjoyed a visit from the Springfield Police K-9 Unit. 

The students recently completed a photography project which culminated in a gallery showing in the Trinity Chapel. The middle schoolers took walks to Forest Park and around the neighborhood and took pictures of objects, animals, and people.  Each student produced a portfolio of their work on this project.  Their favorite pictures were printed, mounted, and displayed in the chapel for a week.  They hosted an opening reception where they greeted guests, served refreshments, and explained their pictures to visitors.  They were perfect hosts and hostesses to the parents, church members, teachers, and neighborhood people who visited.

Participants were asked to share their thoughts on what this after school program means to them.  Some of their comments were:

"They help me with my homework"

"The leaders help us with our problems"

"The photography project and exhibit were really exciting"

"It gives us something to do after school and keeps us off the streets and out of trouble"

"I've met a lot of new people"

"I stay active after school instead of going home and laying in bed"

"We love the cooking program, trying new recipes, eating what we cook, and taking the recipes home to make them there."

"We loved the demonstration by the police K-9 Unit"

"The staff helps us with growing up so that when we enter the real world we can be successful.  When I get in high school I would love to be a mentor to help the kids out."

"I hope the program stays open a long time so we can actually have a chance to compare the growth and activities from the first time we set foot in this program."

One of the parents at the art exhibit expressed gratitude for the program because it gives her daughter something to do after school in a safe, supervised environment.  She was particularly thankful for all the different creative activities and the chance it provides for her daughter to have new and different experiences.

Because Trinity is used for other activities in the afternoons, the after school program is currently limited to 3 days per week.  The addition of a new community room would increase space available and open up the opportunity for expanding the program.  Your contribution to Trinity on Valley Gives Day will help expedite the construction of this room.

Visit the Trinity's Valley Gives Day page to learn more about our story or to schedule a donation.  All money received from this day will go toward the construction of the new handicapped accessible community room.