Community Partnership Impacts School and Church

Frazier accepts Impact Award on behalf of Nash Staff. Also pictured,
Principal Rennda Branson and Superintendent Dr. Bob Morrison.

When Leigh Anne Frazier’s church congregation was in search of a group to sponsor through their community outreach efforts, it didn’t take her long to make a suggestion. As a member of Community of Hope (COH) United Methodist Church of Mansfield and a Title I Reading Teacher at Erma Nash Elementary School, Frazier was placed in a very special position.

“I’m on a committee at church that focuses on helping groups in our community,” said Frazier. “I also work at a Title I school where our students and their families have many needs including educational, financial, physical and emotional.”

With the assistance of Frazier and the staff at Erma Nash, a mutually beneficial partnership between Nash Elementary and COH was born. Over the course of the year, COH extended support to Nash families in need through donations of clothing, school supplies, food and money, including an anonymous check for $1,750 which funded the purchase of technology equipment for the classrooms and students.

Church members were also able to make an impact throughout the holiday season. Another Mansfield ISD employee/COH member Shelley Trammell has had the opportunity to experience the dual benefits of the partnership

“To see both groups come together, working as one for the education of our little ones has been more than breath-taking,” said Trammell. “As a member of COH I head up our Angel program and this year all of our efforts went to adopting Nash students and their siblings. The church went bananas with donations – it was incredible!”

Many students and families at Nash have benefited from the amazing outpouring of support from the Community of Hope congregation, and the joy is definitely felt by both parties. 

“Being able to see one help the other has been so life-changing for me,” said Frazier “Most of all this has been great for the kids.”


On behalf of the Mansfield ISD Administration, congratulations to the entire staff of Erma Nash Elementary for receiving the Impact Award for helping to foster such a fantastic partnership with the Community of Hope United Methodist Church in Mansfield.