United4Hope program managers, Cassietta Russell and Sandra Putnam-Broadway had the privilege to attend the Whites Creek Cluster Community Partner Meeting. This cluster meeting, hosted by Community Achieves at the new Richard Dinkins Middle School, brought together community partners to celebrate recent successes and to plan for future events. One of the most exciting updates shared was the cluster’s improvement in student attendance, rising from 90.3% to 91.7%. 

A standout example came from Alex Greene Elementary School, which has seen notable gains thanks to its partnership with Mt. Bethel Baptist Church and overall school efforts. Through proactive coat drives, partners ensured students had warm clothing before winter arrived—an effort widely credited for helping boost attendance and student comfort. 

The meeting also included an engaging planning session for the upcoming 2026 Family Cluster Field Day, scheduled for April. This event promises activities and fun for all ages, reinforcing the cluster’s commitment to building strong, connected school communities. 

The gathering underscored the power of collaboration and the meaningful impact community partnerships have on student success.