Grandview Heights schools launches neighborhood bridges to become our 50th community!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grandview Heights Schools to Launch neighborhood bridges
Grandview Heights, Ohio, February 13, 2024 – Neighborhood bridges, a 501(c)(3) charity that champions direct local giving in partnering with school district leaders, city leaders and the community to serve our most at risk students, today announced the launch of its 50th “gateway for kindness” to serve the school community of Grandview Heights Schools.
Grandview Heights Schools serves more than 1,100 students in Central Ohio. As a community resource, neighborhood bridges Grandview will aid school counselors, teachers, social workers, and administrators in meeting essential needs for at-risk and underprivileged students, and their families.
“Grandview Heights Schools is excited to bring the neighborhood bridges organization to our community,” said Andy Culp, superintendent, Grandview Heights Schools. “Grandview has a long history of service, support, and kindness toward others. This partnership will allow us to serve not only our students and their families, but all of the residents in need in Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff. Neighborhood bridges will help us fulfill our commitment to creating a community where belonging is made real.”
Neighborhood bridges drives direct support and care by inviting professionals at schools, mental health agencies, churches, and other service organizations to advocate for those in need. Advocates post needs via a secure website that maintains recipient anonymity. Neighborhood bridges then shares those needs with subscribers and followers through daily emails and social media posts—engaging community members to fulfill them. Typical needs include food, clothing, shoes, coats, eye exams, school supplies, school fees, furniture, household items, and monetary donations for household expenses.
“Within the communities we serve, our ‘gateway for kindness’ connects those in need with those who can help. We are excited to add Grandview Heights Schools to our Central Ohio service area, which is Ohio’s ‘kindness corridor,’ said Rick Bannister, CEO, neighborhood bridges. “In preparing for this launch, the efforts of local school and community leaders demonstrate that kindness has momentum. Our partnership will direct impact to students and families in need in the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. Our goal is to make sure that every student in the Grandview Heights School District has the basic resources they need to attend school every day.”
With the addition of Grandview Heights, neighborhood bridges now serves 11 school communities in the Central Ohio area. The other 10 school districts are: Westerville, Gahanna, Dublin, Worthington, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Southwest Licking Schools, Licking Heights, Big Walnut, and Olentangy
Heidi McAfee and Bonani Ray-Brady, who are a part of ONE Grandview, will team up to serve as volunteer area directors for neighborhood bridges Grandview. ONE Grandview has stepped forward and is excited to help lead this effort in driving impact and kindness to our students and families.
The community steering committee includes Jenny Edgington, Joanne Taylor, Bonani Ray-Brady, Melissa Malin, Heidi McAfee, Sheli Hill, Rob Hatta, Jennifer Voit, Molly Phillips, Anna Kalnow, Roger Fox, Ryan Starns, Mike Patterson, Nikki Miller, and Greg Eisenacher.
In line with neighborhood bridges’ model of direct local giving, donations for neighborhood bridges Grandview will be used to help students and families in need within the Grandview community.
Individuals and businesses can follow needs in the Grandview community by subscribing to neighborhood bridges Grandview, and by following on social media channels: Facebook: @nbGrandview and Instagram: @nbGrandview.
For more information about neighborhood bridges Grandview, or information on Kindness Council sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected].
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About ONE Grandview
ONE Grandview was launched in May 2020 with a vision of assisting Grandview Heights School District in building on their already established learning attributes and further develop a strong, inclusive community and prepare our children for lives in a multicultural society. In early 2021, we drafted and presented a resolution to the Grandview Heights Board of Education outlining our goals for the district and it was enthusiastically received. The resolution condemning racism and committing to being an anti-racist school district was passed by the Grandview Heights Board of Education in February 2021. To date we have organized annual book drives, concerts & movies, sponsored All Arts Day and Foodie Fridays, as well as assist the school district with adhering to the Anti Racism Resolution.
About neighborhood bridges
A 501(c)(3) organization, neighborhood bridges’ mission is to bridge communities with schools in providing basic needs, removing barriers, and seeking equity for students so they can engage and succeed in school and life. The organization has driven direct support and care to more than 427,000+ students and families through over $8 million in giving since its founding in 2017.
Neighborhood bridges is headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, and operates its “Gateway for Kindness” in 50 communities throughout Ohio, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
For more information, vision neighborhoodbridges.org.