While Community Service is not Baylor senior Isabella Moore’s official after-school activity—she dances 20 hours a week outside of school with Chattanooga Ballet—Baylor’s Community Service grant program enables her to share her passion.
“I Iove working with kids, but I don’t usually get the opportunity to teach. I’ve assisted at my studio, but I wanted to share with a group that might not otherwise get that training or see performances,” said Isabella.
She teaches an average of five students [girls and boys] at Westside and at Carver in the fall and spring. The class alternates between ballet and modern dance games to learn technique. Grant funding covers a pair of ballet shoes for students at the session. “Very few times have I seen a child more excited than when they got their shoes,” said Isabella. “And when they did a performance, that was really special. I want to share how much I love to dance. It’s great to see them enjoying it too.”
Community Service Director Takisha Haynie notes that arts grants make a significant impact. “Many of our scholars are little people who don’t always know how to deal with really big feelings. Student writers are using the arts to help them relax and work through difficult moments.”
Wanda Officer, founding CEO of Alpha and Omega Outreach, a ministry based at Carver Community Center since 2000, echoed Ms. Haynie’s thoughts. “In February I do a Black Legacy program. Our kids might not have the opportunity to do ballet, but Isabella taught a dance in spring and fall that the kids did for the community, parents, and City Council representatives,” said Ms. Officer. “The kids really enjoyed that, and it has impacted their lives. Exposure brings about expectations.”
Created in 1999, the Community Service grant writing program enables Baylor students to conceive of and seek funding for additional projects, services, or items that would benefit the scholars at the Carver and Westside Community Centers.
Interested students complete a grant application that includes project goals, plans, budget, and anticipated impact. Students then present their final grant proposals to a panel that includes a Parent Alliance representative, a Community Service board member (who also helps coordinate scheduling), and faculty members. Selected grants are then funded by the Parent Alliance, and the amount of each award varies. Grant funding may cover the cost of refreshments served at a special enrichment program or be used to purchase equipment or materials that enhance a learning environment. “Whether big or small, the goal is for the grants to have positive impact,” said Ms. Haynie. It’s exciting to see our students dream up innovative ways to address needs, fill gaps, and influence change.”
These grants benefit the scholars at Carver and Westside as well as the academic partners at Baylor. “Students get real world practice with communication,” said Ms. Haynie. “They are not only taking a proposal through the writing process but communicating with the panel and with partners to bring the grant to pass.”
Briana Brady ’17 used grant writing skills gained through Baylor’s Community Service program in previous nonprofit work and also in her current role as an educational consultant. “Everything about the way the Baylor grant program was structured was a lesson in leadership. It helped you develop skills in presenting a case. The biggest piece was to look at what outcome is desired,” said Briana. “Accountability is key in the nonprofit and professional world and so is collaboration. When you wrote a grant, you often worked with a peer or community partner. That relationship-building and collaboration carries over in the professional world.”
Current Grant Projects
Many established programs, such as the Anderson Awards Dinner and the Reading Reward Trips began as student grants through the Community Service program. “Music Love pre-dates me,” said Ms. Haynie. “The grant was created by students from orchestra and band who wanted to share their love of music with students at Carver Center. When the original grant writer graduated, other students chose to continue. It has been renewed and enjoyed for many years.” Other grant-funded projects have included taking scholars on Walkabout excursions, building a butterfly garden, establishing a competitive robotics team, and renovating the Carver Center library.
In addition to Isabella's dance grant, the following grants are currently funded and being managed by students:
Robotics Day(s)
Focus on Phonics
Music Love
STEM Days
Library Improvement
Coloring & Mental Health
Penmanship
Carpet Tiles
Community Helpers
Holiday Arts & Crafts
Relaxation
Top Reader
Outdoor Learning Space
Collage-Making
Space Day