The Community Engagement Program includes a set of core service areas that represent the types of support and learning available through the program. These service areas reflect how the program works with individuals, nonprofits, churches, and other community organizations in different community and educational contexts.
You do not need to engage with every service area. Many participants connect with one or two areas based on their role, interests, and the needs of the communities they serve.
Core Service Areas
Nonprofit Collaboration & Partnership Building
This service area supports nonprofits, churches, and community organizations that are working alongside others in their community. It is relevant for groups that are building relationships, coordinating efforts, or exploring how to work together more effectively around shared goals.
This area is often helpful for organizations that are:
- Working with multiple partners or stakeholders
- Navigating shared responsibilities in community settings
- Exploring collaboration related to education, youth, or community initiatives
Tutor & Mentor Training and Certification
This service area focuses on preparing tutors and mentors to support students and schools, particularly within the public school system, while also recognizing broader community-based mentoring needs.
Training and preparation in this area may support:
- Individuals serving as tutors or mentors
- Schools and school-connected programs
- Community-based efforts that support student learning and development
The goal of this service area is to help tutors and mentors understand their role, build appropriate skills, and be prepared to support students effectively and responsibly.
Parent Engagement & Family Empowerment
This service area focuses on supporting parents and families as active partners in efforts that impact children and youth. Work in this area recognizes that parent engagement plays an important role in improving educational experiences, youth development, and overall well-being.
Support in this area may involve:
- Learning opportunities for parents and caregivers
- Resources connected to education or youth-focused programs
- Approaches that strengthen communication and collaboration around children’s needs
Community Workshops, Trainings, & Youth Development Curriculum
This service area includes learning opportunities designed for community-based settings, including workshops, trainings, and youth development curriculum. These opportunities are shaped by the audience and setting and may involve adults, youth, or both.
In some cases, this area may also connect participants to more focused or ongoing learning opportunities, such as youth programming, afterschool or homeschool curriculum development, or the Community-Engaged Scholars Program for students (high school through doctoral studies), as well as other structured community-based learning efforts.
Program Data Tracking, Evaluation & Reporting
This service area supports nonprofits, churches, and community organizations that need help understanding, documenting, and communicating their work. It is especially relevant for organizations that are planning programs, assessing outcomes, or preparing information for grant applications or funder reports.
Support in this area may include:
- Program evaluation planning
- Data tracking and documentation
- Grant writing support or grant-related training
While The Lightstand Project is not a grantmaking or grantseeking entity, the Community Engagement Program may support participants in their own grantseeking efforts by helping them strengthen program documentation and evaluation practices.
How to Explore These Services
Each service area has its own page with more detail. Those pages explain how the service area is used in practice and what kinds of engagement may be available.
You can start by exploring a service area that aligns most closely with your interests or needs, or by visiting the How to Get Involved page for guidance on next steps.