Patterson Family Foundation Awards $121,504 Grant to SparkWheel to Expand Support for Rural Educators

KANSAS CITY, MO - SparkWheel is pleased to announce that the Patterson Family Foundation has awarded a two-year grant of $121,504 to support rural educators through expanded HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) trainings. This funding will allow SparkWheel to enhance its efforts to provide schools and communities with the knowledge and tools to foster resilience, well-being, and positive student outcomes.

The HOPE framework, developed from research on positive childhood experiences, helps educators create supportive environments that empower students to thrive despite adversity. Through this grant, SparkWheel will offer tailored training sessions and resources to rural schools, equipping teachers and staff with strategies to integrate HOPE principles into their daily interactions and educational practices.

"Rural educators play a critical role in shaping the lives of their students, often serving as mentors, support systems, and community leaders," said Janelle Martin, Associate Vice President of Development at SparkWheel. "This generous support from the Patterson Family Foundation will enable us to expand our reach, ensuring that more educators have access to training that fosters resilience and success among the students they serve."

The Patterson Family Foundation, known for its commitment to strengthening rural communities, recognizes the importance of equipping schools with research-based approaches to enhance student well-being. By investing in HOPE training, the Foundation is helping build a stronger, more resilient future for educators and students in rural areas.

For more information about SparkWheel and its efforts to support rural educators, visit www.SparkWheel.org.
About SparkWheel
SparkWheel, a Midwest-based nonprofit, serves more than 30,000 students annually throughout Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Iowa. For more than 25 years, SparkWheel has been inspiring students and engaging families in ways that remove barriers and help them to thrive. Through the National Integrated Student Supports framework, the organization helps support students' academic and non-academic needs, resulting in increased well-being and greater success in school.
About Patterson Family Foundation
The Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a family-led foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties across Kansas and western Missouri. Learn more at www.pattersonfamilyfoundation.org.
 
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