At The Streets at SouthGlenn, a trip to the grocery store, dinner with the family, or an afternoon spent at a community event can mean more than checking something off the to-do list. Through Street Smarts, everyday shopping and community participation can help support local schools, creating a connection between the businesses people frequent and the classrooms their children attend.
“It’s a great way to bring together the business community and obviously our school communities,” says Laura Sweeney, Newton Middle School PTO president and one of the school coordinators for the Street Smarts program. “These are each other’s biggest clients.”
The program began in 2009, alongside the grand opening of The Streets at SouthGlenn. Since then, schools have earned $213,850 through the program. During the 2025–26 school year, 14 K–12 schools with more than 10,000 students participated, earning a combined $11,650 in SouthGlenn gift card prizes.
The concept is simple: Families, staff and other supporters submit receipts from participating SouthGlenn shops, restaurants, services and entertainment venues, earning points for their school. Receipts can be submitted online, and school coordinators can also collect receipts from families and staff and submit them on their behalf.
“We’re already grocery shopping and going to those places anyway,” Sweeney says. “So why not allow the schools to benefit from that?”
For schools, those points can translate into tangible resources. Gift cards can be used for school needs, classroom purchases, student incentives, raffle or auction items and other fundraising efforts. At Newton, Sweeney says, the funds primarily support teachers, staff and students.
“It is an incredible program that provides financial assistance that the schools truly benefit from,” she says. “For us at Newton, it does go back to teachers, staff and students.”
The program also gives schools opportunities to turn a regular night out into a fundraiser. During the 2025–26 school year, schools held 19 fundraising events with seven different SouthGlenn eateries, raising more than $4,000 in additional funds. These restaurant nights create another way for families to gather while supporting their school and local businesses at the same time.
Sweeney says the impact goes beyond the dollars. Street Smarts encourages schools to stay connected with the center through newsletters, social media, email reminders, announcements and community events. In turn, families become more aware of what is happening at SouthGlenn, and more likely to participate.
“It’s a really smart way of helping, with the dollars we already spend, going towards causes that impact us,” Sweeney says.
That community connection is especially visible during SouthGlenn’s seasonal events. Families can earn additional points for attending events such as Chalk Fest, Spooky Streets and the upcoming Holiday Parade, with hundreds of attendees uploading photos from events to benefit their schools.
For Sweeney, these gatherings are part of what makes SouthGlenn feel like more than a shopping center.
“I do think that SouthGlenn has really grown into that small-town feeling—a place where people can come together, spend time and feel connected,” she says.
Growing up in Littleton, Sweeney remembers community traditions that brought neighbors together, and she sees that same spirit reflected at SouthGlenn today. Whether families are gathering for an event, grabbing dinner, shopping for the week or cheering on their children, the center provides a shared space where those everyday moments can overlap.
“It’s such a safe and fun way for families to come together,” Sweeney says.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of Street Smarts is the way that connection carries on over time. The events create lasting memories for children and families, from walking in the Holiday Parade to spending an afternoon enjoying everything SouthGlenn has to offer. And as those children grow up, some return to the very same businesses as employees, becoming part of the community that once supported them. Street Smarts really creates a full circle moment: local businesses give back to the schools that helped shape their future employees, while families continue building memories and relationships close to home.
The Streets at SouthGlenn Holiday Parade 2026
Friday, November 20 | 6 p.m.
The holiday spirit is making its way to SouthGlenn! On Friday, November 20, The Streets at SouthGlenn will host its sixth annual Holiday Grand Parade and Tree Lighting, welcoming Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves to their holiday home at SouthGlenn. The festive parade will wind through The Streets at SouthGlenn, including a loop through Commons Park, with participants traveling by decorated floats and vehicles or walking along the parade route. Local organizations and businesses are invited to join the celebration with festive, fun, or musical entries and parade entry is free! Interested in participating in SouthGlenn's FREE holiday parade? Sign up at