Celebrating Orange Public Schools

HANDS has been an Orange Public School community partner since 2014, initially exposing AmeriCorps members to the city. HANDS’ founder Pat Morrissey shared Orange's history, demographics, and the impact of the highway on the city with AmeriCorps volunteers, ensuring they understood the context of their work. 

Since that time, HANDS has been a strong ally of Orange Public Schools, supporting everything from block parties to academics to enrichment opportunities for volunteers. 

The long-range vision of the Superintendent of Schools is to educate and empower families as advocates and lifelong learners committed to improving the overall health and well-being of Orange School children and community. As a Parent University partner, HANDS participates in free and reduced-price workshops offering parents opportunities to learn about budgeting, the process of home ownership, and home ownership programs they may qualify for through the city.

“HANDS is critical in informing the public on the pathways to homeownership,” says Barry Devone, Orange Public School District Community Engagement Officer.

Barry says Orange students have also greatly benefited from the Valley Arts District through participating in an after school program established by Valley Arts artists. The program culminated in a show where students displayed their artwork in the gallery for the public to view. Garden State Kitchen, another 2024 CLA Awardee, also partners with Orange Public Schools, hosting district events and creating awareness about businesses and other ways for parents to engage in the Valley.

“Orange is a welcoming community, a community that is extremely diverse and small enough to have an impact city-wide. It is a city that is growing—you can see the development—and HANDS is an important voice for smart growth. Having HANDS as a voice in that process is a great thing for the city,” Barry says.

Thank you, Barry and Orange Public Schools for all you do for our community!