As Spring Forward begins celebrating our first 20 years, we find our partnership with Augustana College woven throughout our story. From the future educators, volunteers, and mentors who have supported programs to the impactful, hands-on learning experiences that have broadened students' horizons, many of our most meaningful chapters have been written alongside Augustana.

Spring Forward is thrilled to welcome Margo Davis who has joined the team as our Program Manager! 

For the past 15 years, the Doris and Victor Day Foundation has been a steadfast champion of Spring Forward's mission, providing a level of support, trust, and partnership that has been truly transformational.

This summer, 725 students from four school districts and 23 elementary schools joined Spring Forward’s Summer Enrichment Program across eight program sites for an unforgettable season of discovery themed Exploring Our Environment: Connect, Respect, Protect. Supported by 68 community partners and powered by 120 dedicated summer staff, the program brought hands-on learning to life across the Quad Cities.

Students attending regularly spent more than 42 additional hours with certified teachers strengthening academic skills to avoid the “summer slide” and over 50 hours in enrichment through field trips and community partner outreach.

Spring Forward’s Summer 2026 program has officially launched, and we couldn’t be more excited! This year, we are welcoming 725 students across eight program sites, representing 23 different elementary schools and four local community school districts: Rock Island-Milan, East Moline, Moline-Coal Valley, and Bettendorf.

Over 100 students had a truly enriching and engaging week during the Spring Intersession, a successful collaboration between Spring Forward and RIMSD from March 23rd to 27th. The week was packed with hands-on activities that kept all participants excited and active.

We are thrilled to celebrate Nika Loves Imagination, an impactful new partner whose generosity and creativity have already reached more than 120 Spring Forward students since last summer. 

Spring Forward is immensely fortunate to employ over 125 passionate, caring, and valued staff every year. However, one essential (and not-so-human) resource sometimes goes overlooked: the Spring Forward Van!

Through all of our organization's evolution, pivots, and challenges, one thing has always remained consistent across all Spring Forward Programs: the high-quality enrichment provided by our partners at the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois!

Through continuous outreach and expansion of our Community Partner network, 65 local organizations supported Summer 2025. And we’re not stopping there. New partners have since joined us, strengthening the impact we’re able to provide for students!

Now in their third year, the Grace Church volunteers continue to inspire a love for reading and connection that bridges generations, proving that the simplest acts of kindness can have the most lasting impact.

Spring Forward/RIMSD’s Fall Intersession programs were a tremendous success, with more than 100 students participating in new and creative opportunities designed to help scholars explore new interests, talents and skills.

Spring Forward is proud to continue our partnership with the Rock Island-Milan School District, delivering After School Programs at six elementary schools — as well as partnering with Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center to provide Teachers and academic instruction at their after-school programs.

In 2025, more than 150 students will dive into hands-on STEAM activities at the historic Hauberg Estate—thanks to our partnerships with the Curious by Nature Program, led by Hauberg Estate staff and the University of Illinois Extension.

Spring Forward proudly celebrates the dedication and progress of more than 200 students who participated in After-School programs at Frances Willard, Longfellow, Rock Island Academy, Ridgewood, Rock Island Center for Math and Science, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center throughout the past school year.

Spring Forward and the Rock Island/Milan School District’s enduring partnership continued its remarkable impact, offering more than 100 students new, immersive and inspiring ways to engage in learning with Spring Intersession Programs.

Spring Forward is thrilled to return After-School programming to Longfellow Elementary in Rock Island, after a hiatus extending back to COVID days. The exciting, newly reimagined program is offered in partnership with Rock Island-Milan School District 41 and Augustana College.