CLC Student-Led Community Outreach Project

South St. Paul students at the Community Learning Center (CLC) are making a meaningful impact across generations through a student-led outreach project designed to engage, educate, and empower the community.

Students in the Community Outreach class recently completed their annual service project, an initiative fully planned and organized by the students themselves. The Community Outreach class, a language arts course, focuses on building positive connections and creating meaningful change throughout the South St. Paul community. Through designing, organizing, and executing their projects, students gain valuable real-world experience in leadership, planning, communication, and community service.

Each year, students choose a new outreach focus. This year, they decided to connect with all ages throughout South St. Paul by creating opportunities for fun, learning, and relationship-building across generations.

To engage younger students, the class hosted a carnival during recess at Lincoln Center. Elementary students enjoyed snow cones, carnival games, and dodgeball. The event brought energy and excitement to the school day while creating positive connections between students of different ages.

The outreach effort also focused on empowering and supporting the elderly community. CLC students partnered with an eighth-grade Language Arts class to visit residents at the John Carroll Building. During the visit, students and residents spent time together playing bingo, cornhole, and other games, while also working on puzzles and craft activities.

Organizers say the project was designed not only to serve the community, but also to educate students about the importance of connection, empathy, and service. By working with both younger children and senior residents, students gained firsthand experience in how small acts of kindness can make a lasting impact.

The project reflects the mission of the CLC’s Community Outreach class: bringing people together while helping students become leaders who actively strengthen their community.