This summer, Barclay youth are dreaming big. On Friday, July 23, students got a chance to showcase artwork they created in the Barclay Youth Safe Haven program, which provides mentoring, academic enrichment, parent outreach, arts education, and health and wellness services to around 50 Barclay youth.

Two recent Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) graduates spent four weeks with 35 students in the proram, helping them create pieces dealing with issues of urban living, including the revitalization of the Barclay neighborhood.

The students' vision for the future, however, was what stole the show. The centerpiece of the exhibition was a dream neighborhood made from recycled materials, self-portraits, and a quilt showcasing students' dreams for the future.

Neighbors Bond Over Gardening at Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle

It might seem easier to spend weekends inside enjoying the air conditioning this summer, but 12 neighbors from Remington, Charles Village, and Old Goucher proved that working in the sun is far more fun when you're with friends and neighbors. The group got their hands dirty on Saturday, July 17, and built a stone wall for a raised flower bed, added rich new soil to the bed and existing tree wells around Margaret Brent, and repainted a long section of the historic iron fence surrounding the basketball court.

This work day was the kick-off for a larger project to design and implement a master plan for the school grounds. To make it a reality, parent and community volunteers are lending a hand and the Neighborhood Design Center has agreed to provide landscape design assistance. If you live in the neighborhood, watch for announcements for the next work day. It's a great opportunity to socialize with your neighbors and beautify the school!

YouthWorks Helps Teens Prepare for Future, Honor History

GHCC has hosted summer workers through YouthWorks, a City program that helps teens explore careers and gain job skills, for the past six years. During their time at GHCC, the Youth Workers also learn financial literacy and prepare for the college selection process. 

This summer, our cohort of seven hard-working youth have engaged in a unique oral history project in addition to their more practical workshops. GHCC's Youth Workers have partnered with intern Zack Wiener to record interviews of prominent neighborhood figures.

The interviews, which feature Connie Ross of Barclay, Jerome Washington of Better Waverly, Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School Principal Jacqueline Waters-Scofield, and others, examine how communities grow and change over time. Stay tuned! We plan to make the interviews available for download when final versions are complete.

GHCC Showcases Adult Literacy in Maryland

Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation Secretary Alex Sanchez was looking for someone to show him what a successful adult education program looks like. Who better than GHCC's Adult Literacy & ESOL Program, who hosted him for a site visit on July 29 as part of Governor Martin O'Malley's "Capital for a Day" in Baltimore?

Secretary Sanchez' visit provided a perfect opportunity to showcase our learner-centered work and engage in a closer conversation about what our participants seek and how we provide our services.

Joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeff Beeson, Adult Education Specialist Ralph Galvin, and Director of Legislative Affairs Jackie Lichter, Secretary Sanchez observed an ESOL conversation group, giving him an idea of how the program functions. The Literacy staff was then able to engage everyone in a conversation about our mission, learner needs, and our growing transitional strategies to help learners with the next steps beyond education.

Overall, the site visit went very well and GHCC continues to be appreciative of the Department and the Secretary's support in our efforts.

Impressed? The Literacy program is currently seeking volunteers to work one-on-one or in small groups with learners. The work is rewarding and the schedule is flexible—we dare you to give us a reason not to volunteer! Visit our website to apply and learn more.

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