See Kids Dream runs the Penny Harvest service learning program in Columbus through a partnership with Common Cents, a New York based Not for Profit who developed the program. The Penny Harvest, a school-based year-long service learning program has a 20-year track record. 

Service learning incorporates community service into educational practice providing students the opportunity for hands on real world application of their classroom lessons. Through the Penny Harvest, students learn what it means to be responsible citizens, philanthropists, community organizers and leaders. It has been proven successful with students Pre-K – 8th grade regardless of socio-economic status. It puts student’s in-charge of identifying, researching, understanding and helping to address the needs of others in our community. The student’s management and direct control of the process is what makes the Penny Harvest unique. Independent research has shown positive outcomes for the students who participate in programs like the Penny Harvest. These outcomes include higher academic engagement and achievement, increased self-esteem, the development of critical thinking, problem solving, research, organization, communication and leadership skills.

Recently See Kids Dream was one of only three organizations selected as a 2012 Bicentennial partner by The Columbus Foundation. The partnership includes a major financial gift and support from The Foundation that is proving to be transformational in nature. In just three years, with support of The Columbus Foundation, our Board of Directors and a small number of sponsors, See Kids Dream has taken the Penny Harvest from a pilot in 7 schools in 2008 to a total of 50 schools in 5 local districts and one independent school for the 2011-2012 school-year. The largest percent of the expansion will be within Columbus City Schools but it also includes two new districts: Dublin and Westerville City Schools.

If you are a school official and would like to learn more about the Penny Harvest Program, click here to download an informational brochure. 

To watch a video created by Common Cents which provides an overview of the Penny Harvest program click here.