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Dear Transformation Waco Community,
We are deeply grateful for the families, partners, and supporters who stand with Transformation Waco. Together, we’ve built something powerful over the past seven years—programs that helped children learn, grow, and thrive.
We now have an exciting expansion of our work ahead, as the Waco City Council and the TW Board approved a contract for Transformation Waco to operate the new Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center, set to open in January 2026. This is a major milestone for our organization and an opportunity to serve children and families in bold new ways!
Inside this newsletter, you’ll find highlights from our expanding work—including STEAM outreach to more than 80 classrooms this fall, new neighborhood-based afterschool programs, and continued growth at the TW Family Center.
We are grateful for the families, partners, and supporters who make this work possible. Together, we are building a stronger Waco where every child and family can learn, thrive, and feel connected.
Wishing you a happy holidays and a wonderful new year!
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Sincerely,
Dr. Robin McDurham
Chief Executive Officer
| | Bringing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) to the Community | | |
The City of Waco's new Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center, opening next month, will provide hands-on learning for all ages and become a space for innovation, creativity, and discovery. Over the past 12 months, Transformation Waco has been designing programs, convening community and advisory groups, and piloting activities on-site to ensure the Center’s programming reflects the needs of Waco families.
The Center will feature spaces including a Teaching Kitchen, Robotics Lab, Recording Studio, Immersive Lab, Gaming Lab, along with flexible classrooms for community learning, and a space-themed playground!
| | While construction continues, our STEAM outreach team has already reached more than 80 classrooms across Waco ISD and La Vega ISD, bringing standards-aligned, hands-on science experiences to students. These lessons—covering topics like Mars exploration, motion and gravity, electricity, and environmental science—are sparking curiosity and building excitement for the Center’s opening. | | Transformation Waco launched Senior Planet, an AARP program, this summer to help older adults thrive in today’s digital world. Classes at Waco libraries covered topics like iPhones, Android devices, digital couponing, and even how to grow an Instagram following. We have sessions planned every month and are excited to expand classes to the STEAM Center. | | Check out a recent Waco Bridge story about the STEAM Center | | Credit: Justin Hamel / The Waco Bridge / CatchLight Local / Report for America | | |
In August, TW partnered with the City of Waco and the U.S. Naval Academy to host a free two-day STEM Kids Camp at the Doris Miller Community Center. Students dove into robotics, engineering challenges, and hands-on science experiments—all designed to spark curiosity and teamwork.
This exciting partnership not only provided students with a memorable summer experience but also offered a preview of the interactive learning we’re planning at the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center.
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STEAM Leadership Camp with Goodwill
We provided a month-long STEAM Leadership Camp in June for elementary and middle school students, hosted at Goodwill’s East Waco Community Connect facility. From coding with Dash robots and theatre with Far-Cast Theatre, to STEM activities with the Girl Scouts of Central Texas, and exciting science experiments and cooking workshops, campers stayed curious and engaged every step of the way.
| | A Hub for Help and Hope: TW Family Center in East Waco | | | | |
The TW Family Resource Center in East Waco is our central hub for community-based wraparound services and school readiness. Since opening its doors last November, we’ve seen monthly increases in service use. So far, Center staff have already served 155 families, including 182 children.
Families are connecting with early learning programs, parenting support, and essential services such as SNAP and Medicaid enrollment.
Our FRC work is supported by the Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates, Moody Foundation and Magnolia Foundation.
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Bridging the Digital Divide
Thanks to the generosity of AT&T and Human-I-T, Transformation Waco distributed 65 refurbished laptops to local students and families.
These computers will help bridge the digital divide and give more students the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.
A special thank-you to State Representative Pat Curry for joining us and speaking about the importance of digital access for our community.
This effort was made possible through collaboration with Prosper Waco and the Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates, whose partnership continues to strengthen opportunities for students and families across our community.
Watch the full story from KWTX by clicking here.
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We officially launched AfterSchool Academies this fall in two Waco Housing Authority neighborhoods -- Estella Maxey and Kate Ross -- creating safe, engaging spaces for students to learn, play, and build confidence after the school day ends.
The focus is enrichment—STEM, arts, gardening, cooking, and tutoring—delivered through strong partnerships. Urban REAP is leading a gardening club, Warrior Way is offering soccer, the Girl Scouts of Central Texas are bringing STEM projects, Baylor’s Department of Theatre Arts is leading creative activities, and Baylor Medlife is introducing science programming. We’re also partnering with Communities In Schools and Community Youth Development to deepen support.
We’re grateful to the United Way of Waco-McLennan County, H-E-B and the Moody Foundation for supporting this expansion and helping us make hands-on, engaging learning experiences possible for more Waco students.
| Supporting Student Health and Well-Being | Transformation Waco continues to provide critical mental health support for elementary and middle school students through our team of licensed social workers. These professionals offer school-based services that help students navigate stress, build coping skills, and stay engaged in learning. | At the same time, our Vision Center served 343 students between August and December, ensuring children received eye exams, glasses, and follow-up care needed to succeed in the classroom. Together, these services remove barriers to learning and support the whole child—academically, emotionally, and physically.
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Every Gift Creates Opportunity!
Your generous donation will help keep services and programs free for families, including AfterSchool Academies, early childhood development classes, mental health therapy, eye examinations and glasses, and social service assistance.
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Transformation Waco | 254-754-9169
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