A Year of Growth: Reflecting on 2024–2025 at CFSN

By: Maddie Toro, Literacy Program Manager

At CFSN, growth isn’t just a value—it informs everything we do. Growth has been exemplified across our network in every way this past year. Over the course of the 2024–2025 program year, we’ve seen that value come to life across our entire community: in our students, our mentors, our staff, and our families. As we approach the end of the year and gear up for summer programming, I want to take a moment to reflect on just how far we’ve come.

Growing Students, Growing Readers

Our students continue to inspire us with their progress. From the very first day of program to these final weeks, they’ve risen to challenges and embraced new opportunities for development with open minds. Many of our students made major strides in their reading skills—some improving by as many as one to five levels between the beginning and middle of the year, and I can’t wait to see what our upcoming end of year assessments bring. It is always a highlight of the year to see a student increase their reading level and see the pride on their face. What’s more powerful is the shift in their confidence, and attitude towards reading. Whether in their reading levels, confidence in themselves, or leadership skills, they have shown remarkable growth this past year. 

Mentors Who Learn and Lead

Our mentors have also grown in amazing ways. They’ve built strong, trusted bonds with their students—showing up each week ready to listen, guide, and grow alongside them. Each session brings new insights, and we often hear from mentors how much they learn from their mentees. Time and again, mentors express how much they grow too. I see growth in mentors' requests to take more training or refresh their knowledge, modeling a powerful message: growth doesn’t stop with age or experience. 

The partnerships with mentors are also such a vital piece of how we grow this community we’ve cultivated. Our mentors are more than volunteers—they’re partners in building that community. One shining example is our annual backpack drive, now in its third year, led by longtime mentor Heather. It’s grown into a joyful and meaningful event for our students, delivering school supplies tailored to their individual needs and personalities. It’s a beautiful reminder of how mentorship extends beyond sessions and into community impact and how community, and literacy intersect to uplift everyone involved. We’re so grateful for connections like these that further our mission to unite the community with literacy and provide students with resources to be successful. And not only resources but backpacks and school supplies tailor made to them that they get to choose! 

Staff Who Step Up—and Grow Together

I’ve been equally inspired by the growth of our incredible team. This year, our staff not only excelled in their existing roles but also spearheaded projects, and stepped into new responsibilities with enthusiasm and care. Bringing excellent programming to our students, while supporting mentors. They’ve embraced new professional development opportunities, sharpening their skills to better serve the needs of our students. As a team we continue to collaborate to foster an environment of continuous learning and support for not only our community of stakeholders but one another. We grow together, knowing we have support. 

An exciting partnership this year is with Challenge Detroit, which will help us reimagine how we approach mentor recruitment, retention, and program engagement. Their fresh ideas and energy on this project have opened up new possibilities for how we serve our students and strengthen our program. I’m excited to see how the project can improve what we do, diving deeper into again — our value of growth! 

Additionally, when I think about our staff learning and growing together, I of course think of attending our monthly Equity Learning Communities (ELCs). Led by team members Shanelle and Lydia, ELCs are always a platform for personal and professional growth. Recent ELCs have focused on self care, and IEP support and understanding—equipping our staff with the tools for self-awareness, empathy, and creating an even more inclusive, supportive environment for our students, families, mentors and team. 

Personal Growth—and Gratitude

I’ve also taken time to reflect on the growth within myself this year at CFSN. Looking back to this time last year, I see so much rewarding change—in how I lead, how I learn, and how I show up. I’m still here and I continue to learn. It feels important to recognize that and reflect on it even through all the challenges we face today. Growth isn't always easy—but it is always worthwhile. I’m proud of how far we’ve come together. I’m glad for the opportunity to reflect on the growth we’ve all had over this past year. 

Looking Ahead

As we close the 2024–2025 program year and gear up for summer programs across sites, I’m reminded of how powerful growth can be—especially when it's rooted in community, connection, and diversity. It's clear that the growth we’ve seen is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion our community brings. In a world that often feels uncertain and isolating, I’m deeply thankful to have a place like this—a place where growth is nurtured and celebrated.

Here’s to another year of lifelong learning, growing and supporting one another.