Community Partnerships

Learning Connected to Community

Hawbridge works with local businesses, organizations, public agencies, and community members to expand what students can learn, experience, and imagine for their futures.

Community partners bring knowledge, expertise, mentorship, and real-world perspective into the educational experience while helping students connect what they learn with people, professions, places, and community needs.

Through partnerships, projects, internships, and shared experiences, students begin to see how their knowledge and skills can have value beyond the school walls.

Partnerships in Action

Community partners give students access to knowledge, experiences, and perspectives that a school cannot provide on its own.

Hawbridge develops relationships with organizations and individuals willing to share their time, expertise, workplaces, and experience with students and educators.

These relationships can introduce students to new fields of study, possible careers, community issues, professional expectations, and people whose work connects directly with what students are learning.

Community Connections

Learning Alongside Local Partners

Community relationships give students opportunities to learn from people doing meaningful work throughout Saxapahaw and the surrounding region.

A Hawbridge student participating in a community internship experience.

Hawbridge students learning with a local community partner.

The Haw River and Saxapahaw community near The Hawbridge School.

SaxConnex Internship Program

Juniors and seniors gain firsthand experience with businesses and organizations in Saxapahaw and the surrounding region.

Through the SaxConnex Internship Program, students step into authentic workplace environments where they can explore possible careers, develop professional skills, build relationships with community mentors, and apply what they have learned in new settings.

The experience gives students an opportunity to learn not only about a profession, but also about communication, responsibility, initiative, teamwork, and the expectations of the working world.

The Experience

Benefits of a SaxConnex Internship

Internships help students build experience, confidence, and connections while exploring what the working world can offer.

01
Career Exploration

Experience possible professions and workplace environments firsthand.

02
High School Credit

Connect meaningful workplace learning with academic progress.

03
Professional Skills

Practice communication, leadership, responsibility, and teamwork.

04
Mentorship & Connections

Build relationships with adults working throughout the community.

05
Confidence & Readiness

Gain greater independence and preparation for future opportunities.

Community Partners

SaxConnex has connected students with organizations representing public service, healthcare, agriculture, the arts, hospitality, skilled trades, and local business.

Past participating organizations have included:

Public Service

Alamance County Sheriff’s Office
Eli Whitney Fire Department
Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Health & Human Services

Alamance Regional Medical Center
Paws4ever Animal Sanctuary
Saxapahaw Village Kids

Agriculture & Environment

Camp Chestnut Ridge
Cane Creek Farm
Starberry Farm

Arts & Community

Culture Mill
TerraStay

Business & Hospitality

The Eddy Pub
Haw River Farmhouse Ales
Left Bank Butchery
Saxapahaw General Store

Industry & Skilled Trades

Buckner Steel

Learning in the Working World

Professional settings give students a different kind of classroom.

Internships allow students to observe how organizations work, contribute to meaningful tasks, communicate with adults in professional settings, and begin imagining themselves in roles they may one day pursue.

Experiences like these help students connect school, community, and future possibilities in ways that can make both learning and career exploration more meaningful.

Experience & Opportunity

Connecting Learning with the Working World

Mentors, workplaces, and real responsibilities give students opportunities to practice professional skills while discovering where their interests might lead.

Internship Information

Students and families interested in learning more about the SaxConnex Internship Program may contact the program coordinator.

Contact Kristen Kowzan

Questions about SaxConnex internships, participation, and community partnerships.