Living Classrooms Foundation

Living Classrooms' Fresh Start initiative is changing the narrative about Baltimore. Fresh Start equips its students (all are at-risk, most are juvenile offenders) with the job and life skills to succeed as adults. 

Most Baltimoreans caught up in the pernicious cycle of gangs, crime and incarceration want a way out: an education, a job. But they are trapped by their circumstances. 

We have a duty to provide them with a lifeline. And, that’s why the 5 of us from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School partnered with Living Classrooms to raise money for their Fresh Start initiative.    

It costs about $20,000 for a student to take part in the program for one year. This amount covers things like teacher salaries, equipment and materials. We are raising a modest but sizable chunk of this yearly tuition.  

Fresh Start is often a last chance. Most students are juvenile offenders between the ages of 16 and 19, who are particularly at risk for returning to crime or drugs. They commit to a 24-month curriculum that is hands-on, and includes building practical, academic and life skills. Staff and volunteers teach, mentor, and work tirelessly to ensure students leave with a high-school degree, a job placement and a renewed belief in their ability to live a life filled with purpose and meaning.

Fresh Start's  model has been nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Youth Employment Coalition. This is because most of its students succeed. Three-quarters of graduates are in school or employed 3 years after graduating from Fresh Start. Most won’t re-offend (17 percent compared to 52 percent of those not going through the program). 

Fresh Start relies entirely on donations from good-hearted people who believe in its mission. We encourage you to consider supporting their great work. No amount is too small, and all amounts go a long way in helping a student rewrite the narrative about his life. 

If you are interested in learning more about Fresh Start’s students and great work, please visit the links below. 

Here are some stories about Fresh Start’s graduates:

Tykiem

https://livingclassrooms.org/ourstories/fresh-start-tykiems-story/

Jorantae

https://livingclassrooms.org/meet-newest-fresh-start-graduate/


For more information on the program please check out its website:


https://livingclassrooms.org/programs/fresh-start/


Here is some news coverage of a recent graduation ceremony:

https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/11/01/fresh-start-program-at-risk-youth-graduation-employment-baltimore-living-classrooms/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdW0Vew_rBw

This campaign seeks community support for the McElderry location of Safe Streets.

Safe Streets is a violence prevention program in Baltimore City whose main goal is to reduce fatal and non-fatal shootings in target areas.  It aims to prevent violence through a three-prong approach:

1. Identification & Detection
2. Interruption, Intervention, & Risk Reduction
3. Changing Behavior & Norms

At the street-level, Safe Streets Violence Interrupters have credibility because they come from the communities they serve and are able to mediate conflicts that are very likely to escalate into shootings.

This campaign will raise money to provide food for those who may be tempted to rob and steal, positive activites for youth (such as trips out of the neighborhood, laser-tag, sporting events, etc.), school supplies, and other daily needs at the McElderry Park location of Safe Streets, operated by Living Classrooms Foundations. 

There is no particular deadline but the sooner resources  can be delivered to Safe Streets, the sooner it can strengthen and improve its work preventing violence. 

I am on the Community Advisory Board of Safe Streets.