Flourishing Families

Meadowcliff Elementary School in Little Rock is located just off south University. The school serves about 250 students. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of those students live at or below the poverty line. Almost half struggle with reading.

“I’m really going to miss you.” This was what one elementary student shared with her mentor as they said goodbye for a couple of weeks…

Strong, positive relationships are the foundation for a great partnership. Many churches are investing in forming and growing relationships with those in the schools.

Strong, positive relationships are the foundation for a great partnership. Many churches are investing in forming and growing relationships with those in the schools.

All families regardless of their size, structure, economic status, or ethnic background need encouragement and support–now more than ever. This challenge fueled CityChurch Network and The City Center partnering to host the Vital Families in Schools Summit on July 22nd in Little Rock. Eighteen churches and organizations collaborated to identify key components of an effective church-school partnership model.

“We have learned that when congregations serve the community, it creates a culture of service that also leads members to serve in their own places of worship,” In addition Glazier said. “We have learned that growing congregations are significantly more likely to be led by clergy who are engaged in the community.”

While there are a number of contributing factors, an increasing number of research studies are confirming that families have the greatest impact on student outcomes. Healthy families are vital for a flourishing community, and the Church is God’s plan for developing healthy families. This is the Vital Families in Schools Initiative.

Vital Families in Schools encourages church/school partnerships seeking to serve families through family support opportunities, student mentoring, and family to family connections. We are excited to announce that Mary Carol Pederson has joined our staff team to give leadership to this Initiative.