While community involvement in the classroom can benefit the learning experience of students, it can also benefit the lives of families within the classroom. Many families across school districts struggle in ways that some people cannot even imagine. As an educator, it is important to be familiar with a variety of community resources that are available within the area to help families who may be struggling financially, emotionally, and/or mentally.
One way to provide an outlet of resources for families within the classroom is by creating a Community Resource Book. This booklet can be distributed to all families within the classroom and/or school as information, rather than as a handout to families who may be struggling. This can provide knowledge and information to all families who may need to utilize the resources at one time or another. Taking the time to research, create, and provide a document that lists a variety of resources available within the community to aid families in ways that they may be struggling can show families within the classroom the care and support a teacher has for not only the students success, but the overall success and wellbeing of the family.
There are a variety of resources available in all communities that work to provide support and assistance. I have given examples of resources available in the Pittsburgh area below, but each community will have varying outlets of aid that families can benefit from. As an educator, providing a link between community resources and families within the classroom can change the dynamics of relationships within the classroom. Educators are avenues of support for students and families.
Greater Pittsburgh Area Community Resources:
1. The Highmark Caring Place: The Highmark Caring Place is a center for grieving children and families who have experienced loss. The Caring Place offers a safe space for children to work through grief surrounded by others who are experiencing similar situations. The Highmark Caring Place offers support to children and families, ensuring every person that is experiencing grief has the opportunity to work through their emotions in a healthy manner.
2. The Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank: The Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank works to bridge communities by helping those who suffer from food insecurities. The GPAFB helps individuals live happy, healthy lives, by providing food resources to those in need.
3. Allegheny Children’s Initiative: Allegheny Children’s Initiative is a trauma informed social services agency located in Pittsburgh’s Southside neighborhood. It provides behavioral and mental health-oriented services to children and adults between the ages of 2 - 21 in Allegheny County.
