Emily Sanford’s children attend Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy. But when she volunteers with United to Learn, she invests her time in another Dallas ISD school: Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center.
Why?
“Because every child deserves a community showing up for them, not just their own families,” Emily shared.
That idea is at the heart of United to Learn’s work to strengthen connections between Dallas schools and the broader community. As a U2L Liaison, Emily works alongside the Dunbar school community, helping connect people and resources with opportunities to support students and educators.
This summer, that connection came to life through a family volunteer project Emily envisioned and organized.
Bringing Families Together Through Service
The idea began in May: bring families, friends, and neighbors together to build sensory boards for students at Dunbar.
The project became the summer service opportunity for Stronger Together Dallas, a new nonprofit founded by Cassie Braun and her family around the idea that families, including children, can serve their communities together.
Emily created an Amazon wish list, invited her community to participate, and developed a plan that gave volunteers of all ages a role. In July, children and adults gathered to paint, glue, staple, assemble, and add different textures and interactive elements to sensory boards for Dunbar students.
Emily’s own family joined in, too, contributing their individual talents to help bring the day together.
“We are humans, wired for connection. Our energy, our gifts, our light — they shine so much brighter when we’re side by side instead of solo,” Emily said.
How a United to Learn Liaison Connects Community With Schools
The project illustrates an important part of United to Learn’s approach to community engagement: supporting public schools isn’t limited to the families whose children attend them. When communities invest in their neighborhood schools, everyone benefits.
U2L Liaisons help make those connections possible. They build relationships with Network Schools, listen to campus priorities, and connect volunteers and community resources with meaningful opportunities to support students and educators.
By inviting her own network into her relationship with Dunbar, Emily expanded the circle of people connected to the school while helping create a resource for its students.
We are grateful for Emily’s thoughtful leadership and commitment to the Dunbar community. Her project shows what can happen when people get to know local public schools, listen to what is needed, and find a meaningful way to contribute.
Become a United to Learn Liaison
Interested in building a meaningful connection with a Dallas ISD elementary school?
Become a United to Learn Liaison and help connect community support with the priorities of a U2L Network School.
Learn more about becoming a U2L Liaison, or email U2L Liaison Manager Jody Swartzwelder.