School on Wheels is Brightlane Learning!
ICYMI, we unveiled our new name and logo this week. Our leadership and larger purpose are not changing, and our commitment to addressing the problem of child and family homelessness with the power of education is stronger than ever. As Brightlane Learning, we will pursue our mission with renewed tenacity, energy, and innovation as we empower students to become full participants in a learning journey that leads to a brighter future.
Why Brightlane? Find out at the link in our bio!
“If we’re not really listening to what students, administrators, and teachers actually say they need, we’re not really helping.” – Chris Speckman, Vonnegut Writing Center Coordinator at @ipsschools
Brightlane Learning volunteers, partners, and community members gathered for our Sparking Conversations convening, sponsored by @lifeatksm , at Arsenal Tech High School to discuss how to sustain meaningful support for students amid funding instability and growing inequities. Our panel of experts acknowledged serious challenges while highlighting that communities still have the power to respond with creativity, compassion, and action.
Special thanks to Chelsea English, School Social Worker at IPS; Chris Speckman, Vonnegut Writing Center Coordinator at IPS; and Sam Snideman, Vice President of Government Relations at @uwci for joining the discussion as panelists and to Brightlane CEO Kelly Coker for moderating.
View our blog recap at the link in our bio to learn more about some of the issues explored and collaborative solutions discussed.
“Ms. Brittany, she’s really nice and helps me a lot. She is brave and smart and happy all the time. Tutoring makes me feel happy and confident." – Brightlane 3rd grader Micheala
Last month, our Inspire Brighter guests explored the bright stories that unfold when our staff and volunteers walk alongside Brightlane Learning students through poetry, arts, and even student interviews.
If you missed the event, hear more from Micheala and interact with other student stories here: /student-stories
Let’s learn together!
Join us virtually Friday, May 29 from 12-2PM to hear from Dr. Connie Poston, Director of Behavioral Health at Clark-Pleasant Community Schools.
Dr. Connie will provide insights to help us better understand and support students & families who are neurodivergent and how trauma can show up and impact them.
This workshop is virtual and open to everyone. RSVP at the link in our bio!
We’re having tons of sweet fun as the school year winds down!🍦☀️
On the last night of tutoring, students at Barton Center enjoyed an ice cream night set up by their tutors! Students earned play money by reading with their tutors and then had to do the math to figure out what fun toppings they could get 🍨
We are celebrating 22 graduating Brightlane seniors next week and need help securing key items to help them in their exciting next step!
Will you help us make sure every graduate we are celebrating is ready for the stable future they are working toward by shopping our Senior Send-off wishlist in our bio or sharing this post! Items are needed in our office by Wednesday, May 13.
Thank you for empowering students experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness to become full participants in a learning journey that leads to a brighter future.
Join Brightlane Learning and our panel of experts on Wednesday, May 13 from 9-10:30am at Arsenal Tech High School Media Center. Together we'll explore current realities that schools face and explore what collaborative partnerships can look like to fill critical gaps. RSVP at brightlanelearning.org/sparking
We’ll be joined by:
Chelsea English MSW, LCSW, School Social Worker at Indianapolis Public Schools
Chris Speckman, Vonnegut Youth Writing Center Coordinator at Indianapolis Public Schools
Sam Snideman, Vice President of Government & Sector Relations at United Way of Central Indiana
Thanks to Katz, Sapper & Miller for presenting this series of important conversations!
It’s one of our favorite times of the year! 🍓🧈
Last week, staff volunteered during Christ Church Cathedral’s bake week to help prepare the 15,000 shortcakes needed to make the annual Strawberry Festival a sweet success!
Over 95% of the Strawberry Festival proceeds go directly to local, national, and international non-profit outreach groups. Brightlane is just one of the many organizations that benefit from this event each year.
Don’t miss out on the best homemade strawberry shortcake at this year’s festival on Thursday, June 11 on Monument Circle!
This week, and always, we’re celebrating the tremendous impact teachers make on students' lives!
Teachers bring inspiration, creativity, and leadership to the classroom daily to help support students on their educational journey. We're proud to work alongside hundreds of dedicated and compassionate teachers and educators each school year as we put over 800 students on the path to brighter futures together.
Happy teacher appreciation week!
Support Brightlane graduates by shopping our Senior Send-Off Wishlist at our bio!
Each year we celebrate our graduates as they step boldly into their next chapter. As they prepare to enter college, trade school, or the workforce, we’re sending them off with what they need to thrive, including items to help furnish their living space and gift cards to help them cover costs as they begin their post-secondary adventures
Help us make sure every graduating student is ready for what’s next by shopping our wishlist or sharing this post!
Did you know Indianapolis consistently ranks among the top cities in the U.S. for volunteerism?
As Volunteer Appreciation Month comes to a close, we are continuing to celebrate the generosity of our community and all the ways our Brightlane volunteers are making an impact in the lives of unhoused students across Marion County.
Yet, the needs of our neighbors continues to grow. More people need support, which means more volunteers are needed to provide it. We encourage you to explore our blog that highlights the impact of volunteerism and learn more about how you can get involved at the link in our bio!
