Dear Friends and Family,
We’re grateful to share the sixth edition of The Community Schools Chronicle, a storytelling project that lifts up the people, partners, and practices shaping Jackson’s Community Schools.
This issue — Community Is the Strategy — spotlights the growing network of families, educators, organizers, and partners who are helping Jackson students not just make it through the week, but thrive through the power of community-led care.
At the center of this edition is a powerful message from Sara A. Sneed, President & CEO of The NEA Foundation, whose early belief in Lanier Jr./Sr. High School helped anchor community schools in Mississippi. Her reflection calls us deeper into what’s possible when we invest in the South, and why sustained support matters now more than ever.
Inside this issue, you’ll find stories that show how care becomes a strategy, not a slogan:
- When Communities Lead, Children Thrive
A look at the heart work and hard work driving Jackson’s community school movement, and why local partners continue to stand with students and families. - The Lanier Student Empowerment & Resource Center: Where Care Is the Curriculum
What began as a few shelves and a simple commitment that no student should go without has grown into one of the most relied-on spaces on campus. Students come here for warm meals, clothing, emergency support, and the quiet dignity that helps them get through the week.
Together, these stories reveal a simple truth:
At Lanier, care isn’t a program. It’s a practice.
And during this Giving Season, that practice depends on all of us.
This year, 100% of donations go directly to stocking the Lanier Student Empowerment & Resource Center, ensuring students and families have access to the food, clothing, and essential care they need most. The Chronicle shows exactly why this support matters, and why community-led care continues to change what’s possible in Jackson.
The full Chronicle is included below, and you can also click here to view the PDF version.
📬 Want to receive future editions directly in your inbox? Sign up here for The Community Schools Chronicle mailing list.
The Community Schools Chronicle is produced by IDEA in partnership with Jackson Public Schools and community partners across Mississippi. We’re telling the story as it unfolds. Thank you for being part of it.
