Elevate Savannah is a local non-profit organization focused on building long-term, life changing relationships with urban youth in our community through a partnership with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS). For Chatham County Public Schools, Monday, April 3rd marked the beginning of Spring Break. However, for Elevate Savannah, it marked the beginning of a week filled with planned educational, fun and character building activities for their students.

Their 2023 Spring Break schedule included:

• Monday, April 3 – Students toured Savannah State University, followed by a bowling excursion at AMF.

• Tuesday, April 4 – Community Service Day for Middle school students focused on teaching how they are part of a bigger community and what they can do to make a difference. Students started the day with litter pick up at Beach High School Campus and Meyers Park, followed by laser tag at Star Castle.

• Wednesday, April 5 – Field day at Forsyth Park with both middle and high school students. Games included Tug-of-war, relay races, water balloon, Individual games basketball, football, tennis, walking, frisbee, cornwhole etc. Elevate Savannah used this event as a way to connect the 8th grade students with their high school peers as they get ready to transition from middle to high school.

• Thursday, April 6 – High school students visited Albany State University for a Campus Tour (Founder’s Day). The tour was followed by lunch on campus in the Dining Hall, adding to their experience of day to day campus life.

• Friday, April 7 – High school students helped the Botanical Garden with a special project by planting flowers. Students learned that giving back to the community can be self rewarding. After eating lunch students and staff headed to Star Castle for some more adventure.

To ensure that all Elevate Savannah students stayed engaged throughout Spring Break, teacher mentors continued to connect with them for individual and small group bonding on days that students were not participating. Outside of Spring Break, Elevate Savannah’s teacher mentors remain available to students year round including after school, on the weekends and over the Summer.

As a team, Elevate Savannah has a combined goal of providing students with a positive adult influence and ensuring students are given the tools necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals post graduation.  To support Elevate Savannah and their mission, please consider donating to their program.  For more information, visit www.elevatesavannah.org.