ABOUT

Support Our Mission

Our Mission

To provide educational programs at no cost to enhance the lives of families in our community.

Since its inception, Spring Forward has supported thousands of students in kindergarten through 6th grade, helping them to increase literacy, academic, and social skills through fun and engaging out-of-school programming. Spring Forward provides after-school, intersession, and summer programs to help kids realize their academic potential.

Our History

In 1999, seeing a need in the community for a safe, controlled environment where kids could go after school, parishioners at Good Shepherd Presbyterian church in Rock Island, Illinois started Spring Forward Learning Center as a mission project. The program, which served about 40 students from Audubon Elementary, quickly expanded to include homework help and tutoring. By 2007, the growing need for after-school programming motivated the church to establish a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization so that it could support even more schools in the district.

In 2009, Spring Forward Learning Center added a second program site at First Presbyterian Church in Milan, springboarding steady expansion that would grow to include seven after-school and nine summer programming sites, as well as a family literacy program and sports clubs.  

Nationally recognized by National Summer Learning Association

Meet the Team

Our dedicated team is made up of three full-time staff members, along with a talented network of certified teachers, camp counselors, and support staff. Together, we work hard to provide the highest quality programs and experiences for Quad City students.

Board of Directors

Spring Forward is incredibly fortunate to have the support and guidance of an active and engaged Board of Directors.

Laura Wriedt, President, Outreach Coordinator | Figge Art Museum

Lynn Heath, Vice President, Global Manager, Retirement and Benefits | John Deere

Tee Leshoure, Secretary, Director of Community Violence Intervention and Engagement | Family Resources

Kathy Ruggeberg, Director | Black Hawk Area Special Education District

Todd Frankel, Director of Compliance & Global Data Privacy Officer | John Deere

Pete Voss, Associate Broker | Pete Voss

Sarah Gorham, Attorney | Stengel, Bailey & Robertson

Dorian Maag, Assistant Superintendent, Department of Teaching & Learning | RIMSD

Kristi Steinbeck, Manager, Technical Accounting and Employee Benefits | John Deere