Bright Hopes

Bright Hopes’ mission is to implement projects that stimulate improved school attendance by students.   We work to reduce barriers that prevent learning for youth.  We plant seeds of hope.  When students don't responsibly attend school, they miss opportunities to gain needed knowledge for their success. Those already struggling in their learning often have fewer resources to fill in learning gaps.  We work to keep youth excited about being in school and we assist parents with connecting with community resources that reduce school attendance barriers.  When students are excited, they can often get their parents excited.  Think about how often we do things just because a child wanted us to do it.  

This funding request is in support of our newest activities, “Bright Hopes Dignity and My Best Me Projects.”  The goal of these projects is to encourage responsible school attendance, improve a child’s self-esteem and promote educational success.  Some children miss school because they lack proper clothes to wear, get teased because they have body odor, and or the family need help with schedules.  In some cases, it is due to a lack of resources for laundry, broken appliances, water off etc.  We will also add substance abuse prevention activities.  Referrals will come from teachers and other school staff in the Central Learning Community.     

Highlights of Bright Hopes past activities. 

Bright Hopes provided a strong start free pre-kindergarten six session class for low-income mostly Black students from one of our most challenging communities for several years. Students practiced activities and gained needed skills that gave them a strong start toward a successful school year.  Transportation, a heavy and light snack was also provided. Parents were given information on more long-term Head Start and other after-school programs, immunizations, speech therapy if needed that could help keep youth learning. Students got to choose two books to take home and add or start their home library every time they attended.  

Bright Hopes implemented our Parent Power project that assisted parents with utilizing Charlotte Mecklenburg school tool Parent Assist which is now called Power School. Power School allows parents to check their child’s school attendance, schoolwork grades and many other things that help parents stay connected to their child’s learning.

We partnered with an elementary school and served identified students who missed 10 or more days from school. Each child was given an alarm clock and parents received support to address barriers that caused their child to miss school. Some youth did not miss another day of school once we got involved. We challenged all students in that school to reach for perfect school attendance and recognized those monthly who maintained this status in the cafeteria where all students could see the celebration.  They received ice cream and acknowledgement. This was meant to entice other students to set responsible attendance goals. Those youth who maintained perfect attendance for the year got invited to a special field trip at the end of the school year. They also received school or Bright Hopes shirts. Community volunteers, school staff and local church members often helped with these activities.

During COVID-19, we provided 175 students from four schools with headphones as referred by their school to support virtual learning.  Students gained support from their school for technology equipment and internet support.   This was good but many students shared their learning space with other siblings and or did not have a private place for learning.  They could mute so others could learn but couldn’t block out noise in their home for their personal learning.  Headphones helped.

One of our volunteers trained a group of fourth grade boys to tie a necktie.  It was shared that when they become of age for employment and have a job interview, wearing a tie might place them a step ahead of other candidates.   We also implemented youth employment activities where we encouraged youth who had unoccupied time to seek work.   We encouraged employers to consider hiring youth for certain positions.  

Everyone can do something to help educate community youth.  Parents need assistance.  We should flood the community with resources and information that support good parenting practices.  Students need motivation.  Community youth need to have a clear understanding of the value of having a good education as it relates to giving them a variety of choices for their future.   Teachers need support.  School supplies are great but don’t forget about hands-on support.  Consider volunteering.  It makes a great difference in what teachers can do to lift students.  

Bright Hopes strives to build family support and connectedness, increase connection and commitment to school and increase connections with caring adults.  We also work to increase protective factors by enhancing non-violent problem-solving skills.