(Gary, IND) – The Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) is proud to highlight a powerful collaboration between its Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department and the City Connects team — two vital initiatives working together to provide comprehensive support for students and families across the district.
While each program serves a unique function, both share a unified mission: to improve the lives of GCSC students and families through meaningful resources, relationships, and community partnerships.
City Connects, funded through a multi-year grant currently in year three of five, focuses on connecting students to tailored supports that meet their academic, social-emotional, health, and family needs. Through an individualized student support plan, City Connects professionals — who are trained social workers or master’s-level counseling students — help ensure that every student receives the right level of assistance. This includes targeted interventions for students needing Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports under the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, while reinforcing positive school culture and climate for all students.
In parallel, the GCSC FACE team works directly with parents and families through engaging programming, workshops, and events designed to promote healthy family engagement and well-being. FACE serves as the district’s internal arm for empowering families, amplifying parent voice, and connecting community resources to household needs.
Recently, the FACE and City Connects teams came together for a collaborative strategy meeting focused on aligning their efforts to bridge student supports in school with continued engagement at home. The teams shared best practices on identifying, vetting, and organizing community resources while exploring innovative ways to connect the work happening with students to the families that nurture them.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to creating a seamless circle of support for every child,” said Chelsea Whittington, Chief of Public and Community Relations. “When our teams work in alignment, students benefit not just in the classroom — but in their homes and communities.”
As City Connects continues to advance its goals under the grant, GCSC is strengthening its partnerships across departments and community networks to ensure the greatest impact for families. Through collaboration, innovation, and compassion, the district is building the infrastructure necessary to meet the evolving needs of its students and families.
For more information about GCSC’s Family and Community Engagement initiatives or to learn how to get involved, visit www.garyschools.org or follow @GarySchools on social media.