A group of community volunteers working with The Rensselaerville Institute (TRI) recently improved the lives of 348 children in southeast Atlanta. They joined TRI as “Community Sparkplugs,” and led seven projects to introduce new learning opportunities for students in Atlanta Public Schools.
Students learned to bike and to play chess and golf. They received theater training and they gardened. Middle school girls learned about self-care, and high school students learned to fill out job and college applications. Teenagers and their parents also practiced communication skills with each other.
In all, 216 children increased their reading outside of school and 313 learned a new skill.
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TRI provides tools and technical support to local citizens—people we call Community Sparkplugs to ignite change and accomplish projects in their neighborhoods that enhance learning. Each project has a clearly stated outcomes for children. TRI has also partnered with Atlanta Public Schools on school turnaround since 2016.