Public Education Programs
Success Stories
Each year, Public Education Programs routinely leverages over $1 million in resources by engaging hundreds of volunteers who contribute over 50,000 volunteer hours for our six Partnership Schools! These are just a few of our success stories.
Neighborhood Involvement
During the 2007 holiday season, an appeal for tap shoes for a holiday performance was put out on behalf of girls at Margaret Brent Elementary School to the surrounding neighborhood. Within a few hours, the word was out to the community by way of the School Community Partnership Coordinator/VISTA Member and the president of the neighborhood association. The generosity of the neighborhood was vast and immediate. Within less than 48 hours, the money was donated, the tap shoes were purchased, and the holiday show was a huge success.
Waverly School Advocacy
GHCC has been central to organizing stakeholders to advocate for equity in facilities and academics for Waverly’s middle school students. These students were rezoned from Roland Park Elementary/Middle School and promised an equivalent building and academic program. Instead, Waverly’s middle schoolers are being housed in a substandard building without a gymnasium, library, science labs, and other essentials. GHCC has spearheaded advocacy efforts for a new middle school facility, organizing parents, neighbors, faith partners including the BRIDGE chapter of the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Vocal and persistent efforts have gained the support of the mayor, 43rd district state delegation and the CEO of Baltimore’s school system.
Opportunities for Students
In the winter of 2007-2008, several students from Barclay Elementary/Middle were able to participate in the CHILL program thanks to the efforts of AmeriCorps VISTA School Community Partnership Coordinator Taylor Berman. CHILL, a program run by Burton Snowboards, engages inner-city youth between the ages of 10 and 18 in a six-week snowboarding instruction program. At the end of the six weeks, two of the 130 students who participated in the program from all over Maryland were chosen to receive a fully paid trip to the US Open Snowboarding Championship in Vermont. One of the participating Barclay students was recommended and chosen for this honor.