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Every child deserves a responsible mentor and tutor!
We Bridge The Gap Through Healing Relationships
Every child deserves a responsible mentor and tutor.
In Dayton, too many students are facing a crisis that goes beyond academics — it’s a relational crisis. When schools are under pressure, students lose the stability, consistency, and connection they need to thrive.
GrandParents Hands & Children Charities steps into that gap.
We provide the human infrastructure that helps students show up, stay in school, and succeed.
🚨 Why Your Support Matters Now
Dayton Public Schools are experiencing a “perfect storm” of challenges that directly impact student success. The data is clear — and urgent.
1. Empty Desks: Chronic Absenteeism
1. Empty Desks: Chronic Absenteeism
.40.7% of students are chronically absent.
Among high schoolers, absenteeism spikes to 52–56%.
More than half of Dayton’s teens are missing the instructional time they need to graduate.
2. Significant Performance Gaps
2. Significant Performance Gaps
DPS holds a 2‑star rating, signaling the district “needs support to meet state standards.”
Neighboring districts consistently earn 5 stars, widening the opportunity gap.
Yet, Career‑Technical Education programs shine with 4.5 stars, proving students excel when given resources.
Teacher turnover ranges from 16–22%, creating a revolving door of adults.
In critical subjects like math and science, students often learn from a virtual instructor with only a facilitator in the room.
4. The 2026 "Fiscal Cliff."
4. The 2026 "Fiscal Cliff."
With ESSER funds expiring, the district faces a $9 million deficit.
Emergency school reconfigurations and consolidations are causing major learning disruptions.
Our Solution: Mentorship as Human Infrastructure
Our Solution: Mentorship as Human Infrastructure
While the district fights financial and structural battles, we provide what budgets cannot:
consistent, caring adults who show up for students every week.
A mentor can be the single reason a student with a 50% attendance record decides to walk through the school doors. When students show up:
State funding improves
classroom stability increases
academic performance rises
The cycle of absenteeism breaks
"We don't just see a 2-star rating; we see thousands of students with 5-star potential who just need someone to stay."
See the Change in Motion
See the Change in Motion
For a deeper look into the current district challenges and the 2026 reconfiguration plans, you can view the February 17, 2026, Dayton Board of Education Business Meeting.
📈 What Research Shows
📈 What Research Shows
Youth in high‑quality mentoring programs experience:
Higher self‑esteem
Stronger academic achievement
Healthier peer relationships
Reductions in substance misuse and aggression
Fewer depressive symptoms and delinquent acts
(OJJDP research summarized on your page)
🌱 Who We Serve
🌱 Who We Serve
We support Ohio students in grades K–12, with a focus on Dayton Public Schools — where the need is greatest and the opportunity for impact is highest.
Our mentors and tutors provide:
Attendance support
Academic help
Emotional stability
Positive role modeling
Consistent weekly connectio
✨ See the Change in Motion
✨ See the Change in Motion
Dayton students are capable, resilient, and full of potential.
They don’t need perfection — they need people.
You can be that person.
🤝 Join Us in Healing Dayton Public Schools
🤝 Join Us in Healing Dayton Public Schools
GrandParents Hands & Children Charities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Your involvement directly strengthens the future of Dayton’s youth.
Show up once a week. Change a life.
Volunteer With Us
Volunteer With Us
Support events, classrooms, and community outreach.
Help us expand mentorship to more schools and more students.
Join Us In Healing Dayton Public Schools
2. Significant Performance Gaps
2. Significant Performance Gaps
The Ohio Report Card serves as a stark reminder of the achievement gap between Dayton and its neighbors.
The Disparity: While neighboring districts like Oakwood or Centerville consistently earn 5-star ratings, Dayton students are entering the workforce or college with significantly fewer resources and lower proficiency markers in core subjects.
Silver Lining: Despite these crises, the district’s Career-Technical Education (CTE) programs have seen success, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars, showing that when specialized resources are provided, Dayton students can excel.
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