My Story – A Teen in West Baltimore

St. Francis Neighborhood Center is organizing this fundraiser to benefit St. Francis Neighborhood Center.

Tax deductible

Hello, my name is Emmanuel! I am 16 years old and the Social Media Teen Intern at St. Francis Neighborhood Center (SFNC). I have been involved with SFNC for over 8 years. SFNC is a education based community center located in West Baltimore, Reservoir Hill. Their mission is to end generational poverty through education. It can be tough out there, but I love my City and the Center gives me opportunities. I also have three siblings in Center programs. My Mom is a single Mom, and through the support of the Center, she has been able to go back to school while we are coming to after school and summer programs at SFNC. My Mom found herself pregnant with me at 14 and was selling drugs. She made a choice to make a change, and now she is in the healthcare industry, and she even had a recent promotion. I am really proud of her.

St. Francis has done so much for me, they have helped me through some of the toughest times in my life, including overcoming a stutter, my shyness, being bullied, build my confidence, providing me a safe place to be, helping me with really hard homework, and more. They have given me opportunities to challenge myself and grow as a person. SFNC found me a magnificent tutor who helped me get into the high school of my choice (Baltimore School for the Arts!). And, when I grow up, I want to be a writer and director. Now that I'm in high schools they have given me a summer job! They gave me the opportunity to testify in Annapolis in front of the Maryland House and Senate (twice!) and in front of the Board of Estimates for the City of Baltimore--I shared how much the Center means to me and my family--and that the Center needs fixed badly, and needs to be bigger.

Now, it’s my turn to try and help them out with their Capital Campaign so other kids can have the same opportunities I have had. Please consider donating to help us give more kids the experience they deserve! Some kids have waited three years to get in their free programs. There just isn't enough room.

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit St. Francis Neighborhood Center, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me. I recently made the news speaking out about the Center, check it out! https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2019/08/12/st-francis-neighborhood-center-baltimore-fundraising-latest/

More information about St. Francis Neighborhood Center: St. Francis Neighborhood Center has existed since 1963 to raise awareness and bring change to the lives of those we serve in our community of Reservoir Hill in Baltimore City. We are the oldest youth enrichment center in the City! Nearly 1,000 children in this area live below poverty and with your help we can make a difference as we help in stabilizing families. SFNC is mostly known for our youth development programming for children living below the federal poverty line. The end of generational poverty begins here.