When Atlanta ISD received its first 21st CLCC grant this past May, the community was ecstatic. The new program’s name, BLAST (Being Lifelong Achievers Starts Today) reflects their enthusiasm.

Atlanta is a true Texas rural community, located about 180 miles east of Dallas, near the boarders of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. With a population of 6,000 people and 1,900 kids in its school district, Atlanta citizens recognize their limited exposure to cultural activities and the vast opportunities for recreation that bigger cities offer. Even so, Atlanta citizens love their home and the environment of cooperation and support they create together.

The BLAST program will benefit 657 kids K-12, a very large number for a small town. Three weeks into its program, Atlanta’s 21st CCLC program has already developed a reputation for having an amazing amount of community buy-in. How has a rural community with limited resources pulled this off? A lot of combined efforts have made it possible.

Last week we spoke to Donna Rice, program manager at Atlanta ISD and asked her to share with us her strategies in gaining community buy-in. It all began with research. Donna surveyed her community and found that about 300 kids had nothing to do after the school day. She also learned that 82% of the kids did not know how to swim.

Impressed by these numbers, Donna knew that a 21st CCLC grant would be an enormous asset to the community and its children. She also recognized that community involvement would be a vital piece of a successful program.

Before applying for the grant, Donna organized a “vision meeting” to which she invited every type of community person possible: business people, parents, individuals from the religious sector, political, and civic leaders. The resulting group of about 50 individuals discussed the potential accomplishments that could result from a grant. Donna used this networking opportunity to share the afterschool program vision and make community partners aware of the many benefits this grant would bring to the entire community

Donna hit the road and set out to create an afterschool buzz. With support from her school district, she created a multimedia presentation including interviews with kids and took her show to potential community partners. She spoke to teachers and students at all Atlanta ISD campuses, clubs in the area, the fire and police departments, mortgage companies, insurance companies, local businesses, Wal-Mart, the Rotary Club, public library, school board, local newspaper and chamber of commerce.

Atlanta’s program has achieved buy-in from key players including its public library and newspaper. Wal-Mart is also among its largest supporter. The Atlanta Memorial Hospital, which owns the only public swimming pool in Atlanta, has offered its pool and fitness center so kids can take swimming lessons. The local bowling alley has allowed kids to use the alley and learn to bowl while learning math techniques with their manual score board. Kids pass a scoring quiz and are then allowed to go to the bowling alley.

Effective marketing tactics have been a big factor in growing community support for Atlanta’s program. One strategy is to have at least one sound bite of BLAST in every local newspaper publication. Newly created posters and announcements on all bulletin boards around its campuses have helped spread the word. One innovative message has been letting local businesses know that all grant money will be spent locally. (For example if lumber is needed, the afterschool program will shop at the local lumber store.) Everyone sees they will benefit and everyone contributes. To advance positive advertising and community support, participating businesses partners receive laminated display posters reading “Proud Supporter of BLAST”.

The program title “BLAST” has proven to be extremely catchy and stimulating. “It’s part of everyone’s vocabulary. You hear kids saying things like ‘BLAST was a Blast!’”, Donna says. This demonstrates that a great marketing technique is to have a program name that is captivating and that people unconsciously use repeatedly.              

Another key strategy for establishing community support in Atlanta has been planning for success and starting with the end in mind. As Donna stated “we planned for success and knew what we wanted from the beginning”. Donna believes another factor that has contributed to its success is the strong involvement and support of the Atlanta school district.  “Everyone is 110% behind the program” she says.

The Atlanta 21st CCLC BLAST program serves as a role model to other rural programs in Texas. With the largest city over two hours away, it has shown itself to be rich in resources, high in attendance, and very popular. Its imaginative staff members have built a strong foundation of community support through dedication, planning and outreach.