AVID, Kids Club and SoWashCo CARES Wrap Up Yearlong Service Learning Project

AVID and Kids Club students are finishing the final phase of a yearlong service learning project supported by an Innovation in Service Learning Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. Together with SoWashCo CARES Education Foundation, they completed three projects focused on meeting real community needs: winter clothing, nutritious snacks and school supplies.

Each project followed a similar structure. AVID students created and taught mini-lessons to Kids Club students at Bailey, Pine Hill and Woodbury elementary schools. Then, both groups collected donations—either money or items—to support students in the South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) community.

“I’ve liked getting to know how to work with kids more,” said Stephanie Ikuomoia, a senior at Woodbury High School (WHS).

“It’s grounding, learning how to manage big personalities,” added Stephanie Abrokwah, also a senior at WHS.

The first project focused on winter clothing. AVID students taught Kids Club students about hypothermia and the importance of warm, waterproof gear. Using grant funds, they worked together to budget and order about $9,000 worth of boots and gloves.

“I like that we got to do stuff to help people. I like to help people,” said Natalie Usher, a second-grade student from Woodbury Elementary School (WES).

The second project centered on healthy snacks. AVID students, with help from SoWashCo Nutrition Services, created and taught lessons on the importance of nutrition. Since the grant didn’t cover food, students organized a districtwide fundraiser and raised around $5,000 to buy nutritious snacks for SoWashCo CARES to distribute.

“I liked the one when we did the food tasting. It was good,” said Dylan Denk, a fifth-grade student from WES.

The final project, wrapping up this week, focuses on school supplies. With over $11,000 in grant funds, students purchased supplies that they are now sorting and packing—along with handwritten notes of encouragement—for students who need them.

“I liked that we got to do this and to give to people,” said Nyelli Serrata, a third-grade student from WES.

“It teaches us how to be involved in our community,” said Aieesha Hassan, a senior at WHS.

“It’s a full circle moment. This is us when we were their age,” added Gifty Adofo, also a senior at WHS.

This partnership gave students meaningful ways to lead, mentor and give back. AVID students practiced real-world skills like leadership, budgeting and teaching, while Kids Club students learned from older role models. Most importantly, both groups made a difference in their community