ONWARD!

Your Manchester Proud Update

Table of Contents

Happy Holidays from Manchester Proud


We have so much to be grateful for this year, and it's all thanks to your support. 


Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season!

December 2024 Update

Celebrating 2024: Building Momentum to 2025!

Impact of 2024

Merger of Compass and Website


Social Media Growth


State of MSD


CelebratED


Spring into Summer


Compass Live


Career Connected Learning


U.S. Department of Education Manchester Community Schools Grant


Business Partnerships and Connections


Creation of a Basic Needs Funding Program


Community Resource Guides



Manchester Proud as the Community Convener and Connector


Thank you!


As the year comes to a close, we reflect on the remarkable progress we’ve made in 2024. Guided by the goals set forth by our Champion's Council during strategic planning, we’ve tackled challenges head-on and achieved meaningful milestones for our community.


This year’s accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our partners, supporters, and community members. Your commitment to our shared vision has helped us make Manchester stronger, more inclusive, and full of opportunity for our community.


To see the specific ways we’ve made an impact, this newsletter will give a high level overview. It highlights the achievements and initiatives that defined our year, offering a closer look at how we’re driving change.


Together, we are laying the groundwork for an even brighter future. As we look toward 2025, we are excited to carry forward this momentum and continue working side by side with all of you to create lasting impact.


Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Here’s to another year of progress, collaboration, and growth for Manchester!


ONWARD!

Manchester Proud's 2024 Impact:

Merger of Compass and Website & Expansion of Compass Events


  • Streamlined communications through the merger of The Compass and the Manchester Proud website. View our website here
  • Expanded accessibility by enabling website translation into several languages.
  • Added the Community Calendar to the Compass website compiling over 125 events since the launch in April.

Social Media Growth


  • Launched the Proud Moments campaign, sharing over 30 inspiring stories.
  • Achieved a 92% increase in social media reach compared to the previous calendar year.

State of the Manchester School District

The Third Annual State of the Manchester School District was held on September 19, 2024. This event is produced in partnership with Manchester Proud, Manchester School District, and the Greater Manchester Chamber. This event was held at the newly opened Manchester School District Family Welcome Center at French Hall and allowed local business and community leaders to hear updates on district progress.


Highlights included:

  • The Opening of the Family Welcome Center at French Hall creating a welcoming environment for new district families.
  • The launching of the first in New Hampshire dual-language immersion program at Bakersville Elementary School.
  • The recognition of two district educators as finalists for New Hampshire Teacher of the Year.

CelebratED


The Fourth Annual CelebratED Event on September 21, 2024. Despite rainy weather, the event drew a large crowd to Veteran’s Park with over 60 community partners participating.


Highlights included:

  • The first Manchester School District pavilion featuring a newly constructed Beech Street school mock-up.
  • The Music Café: featuring solo performances by middle and high school students.
  • The We Love Our School banners, decorated collaboratively by each elementary school.
  • The distribution of almost 200 Game Changer awards highlighting student and staff contributions across the school district.
  • A robotics demonstration featuring CHAOS 131, the FIRST Robotics Championship team.
  • Participation by Manchester Police, Fire, and Health Departments.
  • The We Show Up contest winners: Smyth Road School and Hillside Middle School.
  • Free multicultural meals for all attendees featuring food from 11 locally owned restaurants


All of which made possible by 26 business partners and funders, ensuring no cost to families.

Spring into Summer


The First Annual Spring into Summer Event held on March 15, 2024 connected families to critical summer resources including summer camps, summer jobs, and summer activities.


Highlights included:

  • First event had over 300 participants in attendance throughout the day.
  • Created four employment opportunities within the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Offered over 30 community partners presenting summer opportunities to residents of Manchester.
  • Multilingual liaisons were on hand to help guide families to resources and assist with registration for camps and employment opportunities.

Compass Live


These monthly webinars hosted by Manchester Proud are an opportunity to share resources and information between community partners and the school district.


Highlights included:

  • 11 sessions were held this year.
  • Over 70 community partners participated in these sessions sharing resources and connecting with each other.
  • Over 100 resources and events were shared between community partners this year encouraging cross-collaboration of agencies.

Career Connected Learning


Manchester Proud has been working with the school district and community partners on creating unique opportunities for Manchester students to learn about career pathways


Highlights included:


  • Hosting four paid Manchester School District students as interns with Manchester Proud focusing on communications.
  • Helping to expand a focus on career and college pathways with the hiring of the first full-time Career and College Pathways Director of the Manchester School District.
  • Ongoing support of Industry-Recognized Credential (IRC) conferences alongside Manchester School District. The IRC conferences are creating opportunities for students to earn valuable credentials outside of school.
  • Working with the school district to create four Future Focused Career Fairs at elementary and middle schools allowing students to learn about different opportunities in their community.

U.S. Department of Education Manchester Community Schools Grant


Manchester Proud and the Manchester School District worked in partnership to successfully receive the first in New Hampshire Federal Community Schools Grant bringing in 2.5 million dollars to the community. Manchester Proud will serve as the lead community-based organization for this project.


Progress updates from 2024:



  • Read the update on Beech Street Elementary School's progress here.
  • Read the update on Gossler Elementary School's progress here.

Business Partnerships and Connections


Partnering with Fidelity Investments, Southern New Hampshire University, and the Hooksett Area Rotary Club we distributed:

  • Over 200 welcome new staff kits to all new Manchester School District employees.
  • Over 1000 test "survival" kits to all middle schools in the Manchester School District.
  • Over 1200 backpacks filled with school supplies to Manchester School District students.

Partnering with Members First Credit Union, Orange Theory, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Hannaford:

  • Distributed donations to address the basic needs of Manchester School District families and students through food and clothing donations.

Creation of a Basic Needs Funding Program


  • Recognizing that there is a need for funds to support basic needs of Manchester School District families and students, Manchester Proud has sought funding sources to implement this program.
  • The Establishment of Fund a Need program to begin in early 2025.
  • The initial funding secured from the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation

Community Resource Guides


  • Creating a printed guide to Manchester resources that works to complement the online Compass portal
  • The Summer Opportunity Portfolio outlined 35 summer offerings for families and students
  • The School Year Resource guide, distributed to over 3,000 teachers, administrators, counselors, and community partners enhancing accessibility to the Compass by bridging digital barriers.

Manchester Proud as the Community Convener and Connector


  • Linked initiatives across the community included the NH Statewide Family Engagement Center, Project Happy, and the 21st Century Program.
  • Supported the implementation of Project Happy within the Manchester School. District
  • Facilitated connections between community partners and the 21st Century Afterschool Program to provide resources and support.

Thank you!


Thank you to our partners and supporters for helping us make a difference!


Manchester Proud continues to make significant strides in enhancing community engagement, education, and resource accessibility. We look forward to continuing that work in 2025! ONWARD!

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MANCHESTER PROUD | http://www.manchesterproud.org

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