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Hello and Happy Gregorian New Year! 2024 was quite the year for us at Riverside. As we welcome 2025, we take a moment to reflect on an incredible 2024. This past year was filled with milestones, creativity, and meaningful progress. Here’s a look back at what we accomplished together.
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January - November - Our mural journey flourished under the guidance of muralist mentor Justin Ransburg and other arts educators. Together with our students, we explored:
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Group collages to spark creativity,
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Storytelling techniques that capture the essence of a community, and
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Feedback and consensus-building skills.
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These sessions were instrumental in designing a mural that truly reflects the spirit of our students and communities.
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February - We secured our first major national grant from the Kellogg Foundation! This transformative support allowed us to:
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Provide stipends for students and part-time wages for co-op members,
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Undertake essential renovations for our building’s safety and functionality, and
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Purchase supplies to enrich our after-school programming.
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A heartfelt thank you to our community mentors and the Kellogg Foundation for making this possible!
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April - The new season brought exciting opportunities for connection and creativity.
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Riverside students participated in an Access for All Saturday at the Mississippi Museum of Art, enjoying a guided tour, lunch, and an Exquisite Corpse art activity.
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Thanks to the Bikes for All project, free bicycles were also distributed to students across South and West Jackson, promoting both environmental and personal well-being.
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July - December - Our first cohort of Cooperative Entrepreneurship sessions kicked off! Meeting every other week, students dove into our specially designed curriculum. Students gained skills to work together and create sustainable cooperatives rooted in care for self, care for others, and care for the environment.
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August - Thanks to Jeff Good’s furniture sale, our building is now beautifully furnished and nearly ready for public use. At last our shared space can be comfortably used for meeting, learning, and connection.
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November - December - We wrapped up student mural meetings with a public input session, finalizing designs that honor our community. Together with students, friends, and neighbors, we’ve been painting the wraparound mural on our building. Thanks to so many supporters through the past year of mural design, our little corner South Jackson is just a little more beautified.
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Looking Ahead - As we step into 2025, we carry forward the lessons, achievements, and spirit of collaboration that defined this past year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to Riverside’s growth—we couldn’t do it without you!
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Here’s to another year of progress, creativity, and community.
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