UpSpring After School: Education & Enrichment

UpSpring After School engages children experiencing homelessness throughout the year. The connectivity that these programs provide empowers students to do better in school and many children have told us how they have gotten better grades because of these programs. Our program staff, trained in trauma-informed care and mental health first aid, carry out these programs weekly at each site, incorporating the My True SELF curriculum from The Well.

For the 2024-25 school year, we will be delivering UpSpring After School at the following locations:

Bethany House Services
Brighton Center
Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy (2 programs)
Collins Elementary (Boone County Schools)
Dayton High School
Finneytown Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary (Dayton Independent Schools) Melrose Place (Found House IHN)
Newport Primary School
Newport Intermediate School
Newport High School
St. Bernard High School Welcome House of NKY
West Clermont Middle School (3 programs)

UpSpring After School was piloted in January 2016, providing the opportunity for students who are experiencing homelessness to have a meaningful school-club experience. This program allows students to focus on dreams that can impact their future, their community, and the world at large. A major goal of this program is to help our children feel more connected to their school, their community, and their peers.

Our high school and shelter programs allow our staff to work one-on-one with students, understanding what their biggest barriers are, and how to overcome these obstacles in a healthy and efficient manner. 

UpSpring After School encourages children and teens to explore new opportunities and connect with members of their community.

In both school-based and shelter-based settings, the goal of the program is to empower children to create the futures they desire, by supporting their interests and passions, encouraging their academic success, and helping them to build the social and emotional skills they need to achieve success. 

The UpSpring After School Program promotes:

  • Connection to peers, positive, affirming adults, & the community.

  • Competence by reinforcing personal strengths & educational goals and building social & emotional skills that anchor children.

  • Hope for the future.   

Our After School programs are available to children who have experienced homelessness in the past year or who have participated in UpSpring programs in the past.

To learn more or discuss possibilities at your site, please contact UpSpring’s Program Director Jordan Mitchell at jordan@upspring.org or 513-389-0805.