On Tuesday, June 10, LaunchNW and Spokane Public Schools welcomed community partners and supporters to Madison Elementary School to celebrate the success of Engage In Real Life (EngageIRL). Gathered in the school’s gymnasium, attendees heard from community leaders who reflected on the initiative’s impact and contemplated its promising path forward.
The seeds for EngageIRL were first planted in 2021, when the Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors was asked to examine the district’s extracurricular offerings and the demographics these programs served. What they found was concerning: a steady decline in student engagement since 2008, reflected in poor attendance and rising feelings of disconnect.
“Studies show that youth who are connected to their communities—who have positive interactions with adult mentors through activities, clubs, and sports—experience better outcomes,” said Garrett Jones, Director of Spokane Parks and Recreation. “They have lower rates of depression, improved physical health, and are more likely to be steadily employed as adults.”
