School Connect CAFE

Join a round table conversation with a school principal to learn how you or your organization can work directly with a local school community!

What Is A CAFÉ?

A CAFE is a round table conversation between a school principal and the local leaders of their community in which the partners work together to address the needs of neighborhood children and families. Together, they plan projects that will leverage the assets of the community and bring support where it will make the greatest impact. This village of support has the potential to transform a child’s life, a school’s life, and even the entire community.

Why Participate In A CAFE?

Expand Your Network

Connect with other motivated leaders to increase your capacity as an individual or an organization

Increase Your Influence

Connected leaders have larger spheres of influence to maximize positive change

Make An Impact On A Child

Share your network, resources, and voice at a local school to increase opportunities for children

Support Your Community

Work together around common goals to better the entire community

Find A CAFE Near You!

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

PRESENTED BY

CORE Construction

SILVER SPONSOR

FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

    A CAFÉ helps local leaders leverage the assets of the community and work together to support children and families where they need it most! By funneling this support through local schools, the community knows they are bringing resources to make the greatest possible impact, and outcomes for children begin to change.

    CAFÉs are hosted year-round, but times and locations vary by school or school district. Often school districts will host 2 bi-annual CAFÉ’s and individual schools may meet quarterly.
    No! A CAFÉ engages the entire community and is most effective when the diversity of the community is represented.
    Businesses are important team members! A few examples of opportunities include team building, school improvement projects, mentoring, tutoring, career day, speaking engagements, or joining a school fundraiser!
    Projects are determined by leveraging community assets to meet unique community goals and address areas of need. Projects could include gardening, creating murals, leadership programming, teacher retention or parent engagement initiatives, reading to students, sport clinics, or STEM activities.
    Core to the School Connect model, CAFEs provide a connection point for individuals to meet decision makers and motivated leaders in your community and then network, collaborate, and build relationships around shared vision and common goals!
    Yes! CAFÉ’s can be hosted in-person or virtually depending on the needs and goals of the school or district.
    Yes! The goal at a CAFÉ is to matchmake your unique skills with the goals and needs of the school community! Connect with us to learn more!

    How To Get Involved!

    Love Our Schools

    Join a service project to strategically impact the greatest goals of a school!

    Sponsor a School

    Reach out to support a school project in your area!

    CAFÉ in Action

    Hear from the AZ Dept of Ed about a CAFÉ!

    Training & Coaching

    Find training and coaching to help you reach your goals in ways that fit for your community!

    Teacher Appreciation

    Teacher Retention has a major impact on student outcomes. Let’s show teachers some love!

    Watch

    What this partnership between the City of Phoenix, Scottsdale Bible Church, and School Connect accomplished!

    Check Out

    This collaboration between Agave Farms, Urban Farming Education, Laveen Action Committee, and Laveen School District!

    Who Attends A CAFE?

    • school principals
    • business leaders
    • parent org leaders
    • faith leaders
    • first responders
    • district administrators
    • student government
    • local clubs & associations
    • government leaders
    • nonprofit leaders
    • school principals
    • business leaders
    • parent org leaders
    • faith leaders
    • first responders
    • district administrators
    • student government
    • local clubs & associations
    • government leaders
    • nonprofit leaders

      Join Our Village

      Doing this alone is impossible; it takes all of us working together to make a difference.

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      Latest Podcast

      News & Events

      Champions of Education Awards 2025

      The School Connect Champions of Education Awards event honors those who lead with heart and help us to build a brighter future for Arizona youth. Every year School Connect presents awards in 15 categories, including individuals ranging from kindergarten all the way to CEO! Join us to honor their legacy!

      In partnership with the Arizona Education and Business Coalition, Grand Canyon University, and the Fiesta Sports Foundation, you're invited to join us at the Classroom to Career Workshop on Wednesday, September 10th!

During this interactive event, educators and industry leaders will come together to connect, find ways to elevate learning, and develop workplace pipelines. 

Will we see you there?! 

Reserve your spot at schoolconnectaz.org/classroom-to-career

#ClassroomtoCareer #STEM #Arizona #Education #WorkplaceDevelopment
      It's time to sign up to be part of the 2025 season of Love Our Schools Day, coming up this fall!

If you've been a part of this day in the past, you know that Love Our Schools Day is more than a day of service—it's a catalyst for building relationships and creating lasting partnerships between schools and their surrounding communities. 

Whether the project is planting a sensory garden for special needs students, painting a mural to inspire young readers, refreshing a library with new technology, or simply writing heartfelt notes to teachers and staff, every project is an opportunity to connect, serve, and celebrate what’s possible for our students.

When we serve side by side—educators, parents, business leaders, faith groups, nonprofits, and neighbors—we’re not just improving facilities...

We’re building a village of support around every child!

Sign up now to take part! 

👉 schoolconnectaz.org/love-our-schools

While we can't guarantee we'll be able to match every school and every partner that wants to take part in Love Our Schools Day, signing up early definitely increases your chances that we can be the best matchmaker! 

#LoveOurSchoolsDay #Arizona #Education #Volunteer
      If you're interested in being part of the 2025 season of Love Our Schools Day, it's time to let us know! 

Express your interest in a school project by June 7th to give our team the best chance to find you an ideal partner. 

You can risk it and sign up after June 7th, BUT you decrease your chances of getting paired up for a project, and we'd hate to see that happen! 

So, even if you're not sure what you can commit to yet, our team is happy to guide you through the process and help you find a great match. 

Go to schoolconnectaz.org/love-our-schools-day to learn more!

#LoveOurSchoolsDay #Arizona #Education #Volunteer
      What do you get when you mix business and community leaders, school superintendents, and a whole lot of bowling balls?

 

A night of laughter, connection, and real impact for Arizona’s students—and you're invited!

Bowling Tournament Details

Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Check-In: 5:00 pm

Bowling & Raffle: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Location: Bowlero North Scottsdale, 7000 East Mayo Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85054

Sponsorship RSVP Deadline: August 1, 2025

Our friends at VSMG and CORE dreamed up this tournament as a way to bring people together—out of the summer heat, and into a space where we can share stories, build relationships, and support work that matters most to us: helping kids thrive.

What to Look Forward To

🎳 1 hour of bowling with local leaders and school superintendents (from districts including Litchfield, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, Pendergast, and more!)

😋 An open buffet and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks

🍹 2 complimentary alcoholic beverages

🎟️ A lively raffle and silent auction with fantastic prizes

🤝 Most importantly: meaningful connections that last far beyond the last frame!

Will you join us? schoolconnectaz.org/bowling

#BowlingforSchools #Arizona #Education