Flint's Greet Our Students Impact Program seeks volunteers to encourage and uplift students

FLINT, Michigan — As the new school year kicks off in Flint, a unique program aimed at uplifting and inspiring students needs community support. The Greet Our Students Impact Program invites volunteers to spend just 20 minutes on Monday mornings at local schools, greeting students with smiles, words of encouragement, and a warm welcome as they begin their school day. 

The program is the brainchild of Hubert Roberts, a mentor and volunteer coordinator who recognized the power of a simple greeting in setting a positive tone for students as they enter their classrooms.

“As a mentor in a class before this program, teachers and I would individually greet each student and we would celebrate them,” says Roberts. “From this initiative, we found that by greeting students when they came into our classroom, we would have a beautiful session working with them. I thought about how this could possibly impact the whole student body. So with principal approval, we started greeting the students every Monday at area [community] schools.”

Currently running now until June 2025, the program asks volunteers to commit to a 20-minute session on Monday mornings once a month. Volunteers gather at their chosen school to greet students as they arrive, offering high-fives, fist bumps, and words of encouragement.

The impact of this simple gesture can be profound, particularly for students who may not receive this kind of positive reinforcement elsewhere. “Since beginning the program, we’ve received such an amazing response, not only from teachers and students, but even the principals have shared how students were behaving, and are looking forward to seeing people greet them,” shares Roberts.

The volunteer greeting area at Flint Southwestern Classical Academy. (Courtesy photo)According to Roberts, the Greet Our Students Impact Program is special because volunteers can bring a sense of empowerment and social affirmation to students. Just this past week, the program extended its reach to both Flint Southwestern Classical Academy and Eisenhower Elementary School where students, “were smiling, laughing and giving us volunteers high fives.”

Despite the program's positive impact, Roberts shared that the response rate for volunteers has been lower than expected. “Unfortunately we haven't been able to get enough community participation from individuals and organizations to come out and show up for our kids,” says Roberts.

Because of this, the program is seeking diverse volunteers from all walks of life. Local organizations, entrepreneurs, community groups, agencies, individuals, and companies are all encouraged to get involved. 

For those interested in participating, Roberts shares that the process to become a volunteer is straightforward. Volunteers are required to fill out an ICHAT Volunteer Background Check Acknowledgement Form to ensure the safety of the students. Once cleared, they can choose a school in the Flint area and commit to a 20-minute greeting session on Monday mornings once a month. Volunteers will then go through a brief orientation. 

The concept behind the Greet Our Students Impact Program is simple, but with increased volunteers and community support, Roberts believes influence can be far-reaching. Studies have shown that positive interactions at the start of the day can improve students' mood, increase their sense of belonging, and even enhance their academic performance.

As the program continues to seek volunteers, the message is clear that even the smallest gesture can have a lasting impact on a child's life. By volunteering just 20 minutes of their time, members of the Flint community can help create a welcoming, supportive environment that encourages students to strive for their best.

Roberts adds, “Our children can’t be who they can’t see. They need resources and support from the wider community.”

To become a volunteer for the Greet Our Students Impact Program or to learn more about how you can get involved, contact Hubert Roberts at (810) 394-4105 or via email.