by Jennifer Roberts

Conversations in the Community is proud to sponsor the H.O.U.S.E. (Helping Our Unique School Excel) after school club at Bull Run Middle School (Gainesville).  The club provides a safe space for students and staff members to share about their experiences in school, evaluate what they love about school and explore areas that they can help to improve. 

The club was founded this school year by 8^th grade student, Warner Roberts, and comes under Conversations in the Community’s Sawubona Learning Collective, the non-profit’s educational programming arm.

“I started the club to build my leadership skills and help my school at the same time.  I also like to socialize, and I get to talk to my friends in the club,”  said Roberts.

The club meets twice a month after school and  is open to all students and staff members.  Each gathering includes a meal and time for students to discuss their experiences as well as what they can do to help the school.  Upcoming gatherings include a visit from Dr. Kristy McDowell, molecular biologist, and founder of Baby Scientist, a mobile STEM program, and Mike and Tara Houston, founders of Houston Consulting Group and Associates to explore careers in STEM, real estate and entrepreneurship in addition to a spring visit from My Pet Alpaca. The club has also organized two community service collections that benefit students at the school as well as people in the broader community.

“We are thrilled to sponsor this platform for the students and staff members of Bull Run Middle School.  I believe that students and staff members benefit from safe spaces in which they can exchange information about their experiences at school and work together to make the educational experience equitable for all stakeholders.  We are a community of learners and we are made stronger when we work together to accomplish shared goals, ” said Roberts, founder of Conversations in the Community.

Conversations in the Community, Inc. is a grassroots 501 (c)(3), educational advocacy organization headquartered in Haymarket, Virginia.  It is committed to achieving equitable outcomes for all students. www.citcom.org.