Partners for Community Action, better known as PCA, is the framework under which Greendale Schools and identified partners collaboratively work to map, identify, create, reflect and evaluate programs and initiatives geared toward improving the odds for success in school, work and life for Greendale youth.

Background:
PCA was formed in alignment with the principles of Ready By 21, a national challenge sponsored by the Forum for Youth Investment. The Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "action tank" dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21®: ready for college, work and life. Informed by rigorous research and practical experience, the Forum forges innovative ideas, strategies and partners to strengthen solutions for young people and those who care about them. Key partners in this endeavor include United Way Worldwide, Corporate Voices for Working Families, National Collaboration for Youth, America’s Promise Alliance, National Conference of State Legislatures, Search Institute, Children’s Cabinet Network, America’s Youth Councils Network and American Association of School Administrators.

It is through the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), that GSD was first introduced to the Ready By 21 approach. AASA is the professional organization for more than 13,000 education leaders and has a history of championing efforts to address non-academic issues that directly affect student learning. Identified as a key mobilization partner of the Ready By 21 movement, AASA sought to establish a peer work group of competent districts across the nation that were committed to building capacity to institute and improve upon innovative strategies that address the dilemma of fragmentation of efforts. Realizing the potential positive impact for Greendale youth and families, GSD accepted the challenge to be part of this prestigious group. Thus began the development of the PCA framework.

The PCA mission was developed by engaged stakeholders in the community and is as follows:

Mission Statement
Partners for Community Action seek to engage all members of the community through collaboration of existing efforts and development of new ideas to empower youth and families.

Partners for Community Action will:

• Encourage relationships that support a strong community network
• Provide youth a forum to express their vision of civic responsibility
• Identify, link and promote access to community resources that foster positive youth development