FAQ Friday: How do I pick a School to help?

How do I get started?

Quick story: I got an email from our school last week.  Two sisters recently experienced severe trauma and were having difficulty making it through the night without having accidents. The teacher asked for two air mattresses and some pullups.
Can you imagine? 
Can you imagine going to school after that kind of night?
Can you imagine going to school having experienced this?

Of course we said yes.  But I didn’t want to repeat my changing table mistake so we emailed back and forth about what specifically was needed and I got the air mattresses, a pump, and pullups.  It’s been awhile since I bought pullups!  It took less than 24 hours from the initial email to the school receiving the items. 

Every school needs this type of partner.  Every school needs businesses or churches or nonprofits who can meet a need at a moment’s notice.

So how do you get there?  How does a school get there?

Last week’s FAQ talked about needing a reason to start helping a school.  And that’s important- it’s so important that if you don’t have a reason, take some time right now to identify your reason for helping a school. 
When you have your reason for helping a school, how do you get going?
How do I pick a school?  How do I identify a school?  What do I do when I find a school to help?

All good questions.  We’ll discuss how to pick a school today.  Next Friday we’ll talk about what’s next once you pick a school.

3 ways to pick a school:

1. Location- If a school is located close to your business or church, this is a good place to start.  This was how I got started helping a school and how my church got started helping a school.  We started with schools closest to us.  Location also works if you’re a school and looking for a church or business partner.  What businesses or churches are closest to you?  Start with them.
2. Need- What schools in your community have the greatest needs?  What schools are Title schools?  What schools have large populations of students on free and reduced meals?  If you’re unsure, head to your school district’s website to get the data.  Or contact me and I’ll help you identify schools in your community who would benefit from your partnership.  This also works if you lead a school.  What needs do you have and can you communicate those needs in a way where a church or business can partner with you?  Your students may have needs for mentors.  Your teachers may have needs for appreciation or supplies.  Your building may have needs for paint or playground equipment.  Identifying your needs is a great way to start with a church or business partner.
3. Connection- last way is with a connection.  Maybe you’re a school principal and your church is looking to partner with a school.  Maybe you’re a business owner and your spouse teaches at a school who needs a partner.  Maybe you’re a pastor or a church leader and a majority of your church attends a certain school or lives in a certain neighborhood.  These connections are natural places to start partnering with a school or for a school to seek out a church or business partner.

You can always contact me for help on getting started.  I’d love to visit with you about how you can start helping a school or how your school can have a church or business partner so that when you have a student who needs air mattresses and pullups, you’ve got someone to call.