Let’s go to Operation Shoestring!

At our Project Rise afterschool program parent orientation this August, our meeting rooms were socially distanced but you could feel the connection between parents and our staff. When each of our 55 moms, dads, and guardians walked into the door, they were greeted by our programs team and made to feel like our space was their own—which it is! Operation Shoestring’s work provides year-round academic, social and emotional support to children and families in central Jackson and empower the communities we serve to live self-determined, and healthy, hopeful lives. That means our recently renovated space is designed specifically with the needs of the children and families within our community in mind. From afterschool programs to parent retreats, our building will host some fantastic programs this year. Come step through our doors, and find out what we’ve got planned for this academic year.

Our afterschool program, Project Rise, is returning to in-person services this fall semester. After a joyful, productive, and healing summer, the children in our neighborhoods are ready to resume their afterschool enrichment activities. This year, we have partnered with Galloway and Walton Elementary to serve up to nearly 100 students. We can’t wait to provide quality academic tutorials, STEM education, arts programming, and innovative activities like gardening and cooking. Through all of these activities runs a deep commitment to social-emotional learning and addressing the traumas that our students often encounter in their days. 

Afterschool helps families and children thrive by not only providing social and emotional support, but also by serving as a safe place for children to go after the school day ends. When kids come to Project Rise, their parents and guardians can focus on their work instead of worrying about whether their children are adequately cared for or protected.  Annually, kids spend some 80% of their waking hours outside of the school day, so it matters where they go to spend that time! 

Our parent initiatives are another program returning to in-person. At Operation Shoestring we empower parents and guardians to develop tools and resources they need to best support their children and their families along their path to success. As part of this journey, our parent programming offers a variety of ways for families to get involved.  From healthy cooking classes to our Brown Bag lunch talk series, we aim to be a resource for our neighbors in every stage of their lives. This year we’re also planning to offer financial education courses, outdoor experiences, and other opportunities for parents within our community to bond and learn with each other. Supporting the whole family means that all members and all of our community rise together. We hope you can join us as a partner in this important work at operationshoestring.org/volunteer and operationshoestring.org/support.