Spring Forward

Spring Forward Community,

Today, we pause to recognize a partnership that has helped shape the future of thousands of children across the Quad Cities.

For the past 15 years, the Doris & 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.

With their most recent investment, the Foundation's total support of Spring Forward has now exceeded $1.5 million. While that number is remarkable, its true significance lies in what it has made possible. It represents fourteen years of belief in children, families, and the power of high-quality out-of-school time programming.

Because of the Day Foundation's commitment, Spring Forward has grown from a single-site initiative into a regional leader serving 1,118 students annually. More than 700 of those students call Rock Island home, where we continue working to remove barriers and create safe, enriching, and culturally responsive learning opportunities.

Their support has also helped fuel a Nationally recognized Summer Program model that served more than 725 students across eight sites this past year, reaching children from 23 schools and gaining buy-in from four school districts. Along the way, we have built a network of 71 community partners, creating a ripple effect of opportunity that extends far beyond any one organization.

The Foundation’s continued confidence in our mission has inspired us to continually raise the bar for programs to provide greater impact on the children and families we serve.

Simply put, both Spring Forward and this community would not be where it is today without the Doris and Victor Day Foundation. They have done far more than fund programs. They have invested in potential, opened doors to opportunity, and helped create brighter futures for thousands of young people throughout our community.

To the Board, staff, and supporters of the Doris and Victor Day Foundation: thank you for your extraordinary partnership, your visionary leadership, and your unwavering belief in our students.

With profound gratitude,
Robert McIntyre
Executive Director
Spring Forward

https://www.springforwardqca.org/spotlight/an-open-letter-of-gratitude-to-the-doris-and-victor-day-foundation-a-15-year-legacy-of-impact

DON'T MISS IT! Tomorrow night Rock Island Parks and Recreation is bringing our community together for "Back to School Game Night" to support Spring Forward programs that help kids learn, grow, and thrive all year long.

All you need to join in the fun is a few school supplies or make a small monetary gift. Plus, NEW! Raffle prizes available too, with raffle ticket sales benefiting Spring Forward.

Your support helps Spring Forward get students ready for a great year, and your presence makes the event even better. Come hang out and be part of something that lifts up Rock Island families!

Thank you Rock Island Parks and Recreation for supporting Spring Forward!

For some, today was a cloudy, quiet, nothing‑special Friday.
For Spring Forward, July 10, 2026 will go down as one of the most unforgettable, wildly adventurous Field Trip Fridays in our 27‑year history.

In all, 11 different Field Trips were pulled off, with many centering around our Summer theme of Exploring Our Environment: Connect, Respect, Protect."

We explored caves, canoed in lakes and Mississippi backwaters, caught our first fish (again!!), rode boats on the Mississippi River, encountered wildlife and studied ponds, prairies and grasslands.

None of this is possible without our incredible partners at Nahant Marsh Education Center, Figge Art Museum, Wildcat Den State Park, Rock Creek Marina (Clinton County Conservation), Maquoketa Caves (Jackson County Conservation), Scott County, Iowa Conservation, Quad City Botanical Center, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, University of Illinois Extension Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark,, Bettendorf Family Museum, Muscatine Conservation Center.....and MOST OF ALL OUR AMAZING STAFF.

Hard to believe we pulled off such a memorable day for the more than 500 students still going strong as we close out Summer 2026.

For those who need to see it to believe it, here you go!!........

National Summer Learning Association