Building Bridges To Connect Students with Their Community
Deep in the Heart of Denton is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit after-school enrichment program connecting students to their community through meaningful experiences and a love of reading.
Deep in the Heart of Denton is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit after-school enrichment program connecting students to their community through meaningful experiences and a love of reading.
Deep in the Heart of Denton is a nonprofit after-school enrichment program that extends literacy beyond the classroom.
Our mission is to foster meaningful engagement with the city, help students build a mental map of downtown Denton, and nurture a lifelong love of reading.
We collaborate with school administrators, teachers, families, and local businesses and organizations to offer free, meaningful experiences that connect students to the heart of their city. This also helps local businesses and organizations get to know the students and families in their neighborhood and build lasting relationships that strengthen our entire community.
Downtown Businesses Partnered
Involve Multiple Title 1 Schools
Students Participated
Free for Students
Gary Barnhart and Ethan Bell created Deep in the Heart of Denton to give Title I students an opportunity to explore their city.
Each field trip brings a busload of third through fifth graders downtown for an afternoon that includes a StoryWalk® around the Square, a sit-down meal at a local restaurant, and time to visit the courthouse lawn. For many students, it is their first time experiencing downtown as a place that welcomes them.
By connecting students, families, and local businesses, the program helps strengthen the bonds that hold the Denton community together.
Students explore downtown Denton through guided field trips, building a mental map of their community while visiting local businesses, museums, and cultural sites.
Interactive reading sessions that bring stories to life through visits to relevant locations, connecting literature to real-world experiences in our community.
Building lasting relationships between students, families, and local organizations through collaborative events and meaningful interactions.
We're grateful for the support of our community partners who make our programs possible.
Denton ISD Elementary Schools
Downtown Denton businesses, museums, libraries, and cultural centers
Parents, guardians, and volunteers who dedicate their time to enriching our students' experiences
Join us in creating meaningful experiences for Denton's students
deepintheheartdenton@gmail.com
(903) 830-1329
Donate through this site or contact us to volunteer.
As a nonprofit organization, your tax-deductible donation helps us provide free enrichment programs to students in our community.
Make a Donation