Deepening Connections Through Service: Introducing the LCS House Community Partnerships Program
Our vision, “to inspire teenagers to be leaders who care, connect and contribute” informs all that we do at Lakefield.
Service is an integral part of this experience. Whether fundraising for a cause, volunteering, or lending a hand where it’s most needed, our students have always shown care for their wider community. This year, that commitment takes on a new depth with the launch of our House Community Partnerships Program.
Beginning this fall, each of our 12 Houses is now connected with one local community organization, creating opportunities for authentic, ongoing engagement. The goal is to move beyond one-time fundraising and toward deeper partnerships—relationships in which students not only contribute, but truly understand and champion their partner organization’s mission.
The 12 organizations have all been supported by LCS in the past; what’s new is the focus and intentionality. Each House will get to know its partner organization’s people, values, and purpose and share that learning across our community through events, fundraising, and awareness initiatives. Over time, these partnerships will help shape each House’s identity, strengthening the sense of shared purpose and long-term connection.
To ensure that every organization receives meaningful support, each has been matched with 12 fundraising opportunities throughout the year: 10 Clean Casual Days and 2 Coffee Houses.
This guarantees that each organization will be supported at some point during the school year, while additional engagement opportunities will only deepen those connections. These pairings were created intentionally to ensure genuine interest and alignment between the House community and the organization.
On Friday, October 24, we welcomed representatives from all 12 partner organizations to our campus. During Community Time, Service Learning House Leaders met with their guests and introduced them to their Houses. After learning about each organization’s mission and impact, students brainstormed meaningful ways to get involved—from hosting awareness events and fundraising to volunteering initiatives that bring the organization’s missions to life.
The House Community Partnerships program will strengthen our service learning program, creating connections that are more coordinated, personal, and impactful and will give purpose and direction to our student Service House Leaders, who will help guide their peers in bringing each partnership to life. Together with faculty support, they’ll strengthen relationships that extend far beyond our campus.
Rooted in our strategic vision and our Community First priority, this program reflects who we’ve always been—a community that leads with heart, builds through connection, and believes in making a difference, together.
Stay tuned throughout the year as we share stories of how each House is bringing their partnership to life!