According to Southern Methodist University Community Engagement Director Wendelin Donahue,

“As someone passionate about creating meaningful connections that serve the greater good, I was thrilled to discover United to Learn’s Serena Simmons Connelly Liaison program. With a mission to change lives by transforming the relationship between schools and community, United to Learn works alongside more than 100 Dallas ISD elementary schools.

“My journey began when I was exploring ways for SMU’s Engage Dallas initiative to partner with residents and organizations in South and West Dallas. This search led me to United to Learn, where I was matched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Academy, a Dallas ISD Transformation school serving pre-k through 8th-grade students in southern Dallas.

“As a Liaison, I regularly meet with campus leadership to listen and learn about the campus’ strengths, challenges, and hopes for its students. I help MLK leverage United to Learn’s resources, tools, and tutors. I also have a U2L-provided budget to celebrate the school and deliver fun things like hot chocolate to lift teachers’ spirits on a busy fall day, medallions to celebrate perfect student attendance and meals for faculty and staff working after hours for parent conferences.

“One of my favorite moments as a Liaison was during United to Learn’s Community Campus Day last spring. It was a day full of joy and on-campus community building. Volunteers from Temple Emanuel were on hand to help. The entire MLK campus participated: students, faculty, staff, and administration. Students performed for each other and competed in an art contest. Winners were treated to smoothies made with ingredients cultivated from the school’s new tower garden. There was dancing and games. Earlier in the day volunteers from OCC, a United to Learn corporate partner, were on hand to assemble furniture and create calming corners throughout the school, giving students a safe space to regulate emotions.

“Days like these are only possible through tremendous community involvement. Liaisons are what help connect it all. More of us are needed at new schools joining the United to Learn network.

“If you are passionate about education, community engagement, and making a tangible difference in the lives of young learners, consider volunteering as a U2L Liaison. The ideal volunteer should possess an open heart, a willingness to listen, and the ability to engage in creative problem-solving to help the campus leverage existing United to Learn resources and steward a budget.

“For more information on becoming a U2L Liaison, visit unitedtolearn.org.”

* Photo provided by United To Learn