It is difficult to identify all of the enumerable ways Harbor and Community Sharing has worked together to help families and students.
Schools and school districts partner with community organizations to assist students. We do the work of educating and caring for our students as a community and not merely as individuals or schools. It takes a village, and this philosophy is on full display at Harbor High School with our partnership with Community Sharing.
We have partnered with Community Sharing to support our students for the last seven years, and each year we have developed this partnership to assist even more students and families. It is difficult to identify all of the enumerable ways we have worked together to help families and students.
Every Wednesday, Community Sharing delivers a large load of fresh fruit and hand held snacks to the building. This food gets distributed throughout the building and into classrooms in addition to filling up the Student Support Office cupboards. Many of our students live with daily food insecurities, and this assistance helps create a safe, supportive environment for learning. Learning begins with a full stomach. “The determined support of food every Wednesday is what gets students going. I love knowing that if I am hungry at any time during the day, I have options for food. We don’t have to worry about learning while hungry,” said Anna Packard, a HHS student who often volunteers to help organize the weekly food delivery.
In addition to this food support in the building, we have called on Community Sharing for emergency food support for families. We have had many families over the last seven years reach out to the school for emergency food assistance or more commonly be identified by our caring staff as needing support. We all face challenges in life, and sometimes, we need help. Community Sharing has allowed us to help families when they need it the most.
Beyond these two primary supports, Community Sharing has helped our families and our students in millions of ways big and small: emergency gas cards, utility assistance, rent assistance, holiday help, clothing and hygiene supplies, job placement, DHHS connections, eye care, car repairs, scholarships…and so much more. “Our relationship with Harbor High allows Community Sharing to impact young adults. These individuals sometimes do not have the choice in their current situation. Community Sharing hopes this teamwork with Harbor High will aid in long term success for their future!” said Kelley Kirchner, Casework Manager and Inter-Agency Liaison at Community Sharing.
In addition to these essential supports, Community Sharing also partners with Harbor High School to support our honor roll students each trimester. They help us recognize and honor those students who are attending regularly, attaining positive grades, and building opportunities for themselves through positive choices. Each year we recognize these students with celebratory events like catching a movie at the Milford Independent Theater or throwing a couple strikes at Pinz in South Lyon. These celebrations are made possible by the generosity of the Community Sharing organization.
It is because of the kind, diligent hearts of the Community Sharing volunteers that thousands of children, adults, and families in our communities have been supported, heard, and honored.
Thank you for everything you do for our communities, families, friends, and students.
